Movement-speed biofeedback to improve muscle activation and self-perception in older adults with sarcopenia
The Influence of Movement Velocity Biofeedback on Muscle Activation and Self Perception in Older Adults With Sarcopenia
This test will see if giving older adults with sarcopenia feedback on how fast they move during leg-press exercises helps preserve movement speed, increase muscle activation, and change motivation and perceived effort.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 60 (estimated) |
| Ages | 60 Years to 95 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Creighton University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Omaha, Nebraska) |
| Trial ID | NCT06853275 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Older adults with sarcopenia will be assigned to either an external-focus group that receives real-time movement-velocity feedback or to an internal-focus control group with no cues. Participants visit the lab once per week for three weeks to perform leg-press exercise testing while researchers measure percent velocity loss and neuromuscular activation and collect questionnaires on motivation and perceived workload. Exclusion criteria include recent structured resistance training, recent lower-extremity injury or surgery, and neurologic or circulatory conditions that affect movement. The trial tests whether external velocity biofeedback changes short-term performance metrics and participants' perceived workload and motivation.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Community-dwelling, physically independent adults aged 60–95 who are cognitively intact, score 4 or higher on the SARC-F, have not done structured resistance training in the past year, and have no recent lower-limb injury or major neuromuscular or circulatory conditions are the intended participants.
Not a fit: People with recent lower-extremity injury or surgery, active neuromuscular or circulatory disease, significant edema, severe cognitive impairment, or those already engaged in regular resistance training are unlikely to benefit or are excluded.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, velocity biofeedback could help therapists tailor resistance training to better maintain muscle power and motivation in older adults with sarcopenia.
How similar studies have performed: Related work on velocity-based training and movement biofeedback has shown improvements in power and motor performance in younger and general older populations, but direct evidence in sarcopenic older adults is limited, making this a relatively novel application.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Community-dwelling older adults 60-95 years of age * Physically independent * Free of severe mental impairment * Score 4 or greater on the SARC-F sarcopenia questionnaire Exclusion Criteria: * Participated in a structured resistance training program in the last 12 months * Had a lower extremity injury or surgical intervention within the past 6 months * Have neuromuscular (i.e., Parkinson's Disease, Multiple Sclerosis), circulatory, or edema pathology
Where this trial is running
Omaha, Nebraska
- Creighton University — Omaha, Nebraska, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Rashelle Hoffman, PT, DPT, PhD
- Email: rashellehoffman@creighton.edu
- Phone: 402-280-5691
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.