Quadriceps Motor Unit Adaptation to Simulated Knee Injury
University of Central Florida
45 participants
Aug 1, 2026
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
This study investigates how simulated knee injury-via artificial joint effusion or deafferentation-affects quadriceps motor unit behavior in healthy young adults. Participants will complete neuromuscular testing during a single 2-hour lab session. This research seeks to improve understanding of muscle inhibition and inform interventions after real-world knee trauma.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria3
- Age 18-30 years
- Physically active (Tegner ≥ 5)
- No prior lower-limb surgery or major injury
Exclusion Criteria7
- Lower limb surgery or significant injury in past 2 years
- Cardiopulmonary, neurological, or psychiatric disorders
- Needle/electrical stimulation anxiety
- Medications affecting neuromuscular or psychological function
- Pregnancy
- Allergic to lidocaine
- Inability to elicit Hoffmann reflex
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Interventions
Injection of sterile saline into the knee joint to simulate joint swelling and induce quadriceps inhibition.
Injection of 7 mL lidocaine into the knee joint to simulate deafferentation by temporarily blocking sensory input.
Simulated knee injection using a stage needle without skin penetration, used to blind participants and serve as control.
Locations(1)
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NCT06999057