RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT07381920

Effects of Muscle Cooling on Motor Unit Firing of the Quadriceps

Effects of Muscle Cooling on Motor Unit Firing of the Quadriceps: A Pilot Feasibility Study

Sponsor

Wake Forest University

Enrollment

24 participants

Start Date

Jan 20, 2026

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Healthy

Summary

The overall objective of this pilot study is to establish the feasibility and methodological validity of using high-density surface electromyography to characterize motor unit behavior of the quadriceps under thermoneutral and locally cooled conditions, and to generate preliminary data to inform the design of a larger, hypothesis-driven study.

Eligibility

Min Age: 18 YearsMax Age: 35 Years

Plain Language Summary

Simplified for easier understanding

This clinical trial is studying a procedure called Cryotherapy for people with healthy. The study is currently recruiting participants at 1 location. People eligible for this study include aged 18 Years to 35 Years.

This summary was AI-generated to explain the trial in plain language. It is not medical advice. Always discuss eligibility with your doctor before enrolling in a clinical trial.

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Interventions

PROCEDURECryotherapy

For the cold condition, an Aircast Thigh Pad (Aircast), connected to the Cryo Cuff IC cooler (DJO Global, Vista, California, USA) will be applied to the dominant thigh. The system circulates ice water maintained at approximately 10-15°C with intermittent compression. Cooling duration will be individualized based on mid-thigh skinfold thickness, consistent with published recommendations that account for the effect of subcutaneous tissue on intramuscular cooling9. Participants with a mid-thigh skinfold thickness of 0-10 mm will receive 10 minutes of cooling; those with a skinfold thickness of 11-20 mm will receive 25 minutes of cooling; those with a skinfold thickness of 21-30 mm will receive 40 minutes of cooling; and those with a skinfold thickness of 31-40 mm will receive 60 minutes of cooling. Participants will remain seated for the duration of the cooling treatment.