Effect of the Ultrasound-guided Percutaneous Neuromodulation on the Mean Velocity in Crossfit Practitioners.
Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age18-60
SponsorCEU San Pablo University
About this trial
This randomized controlled blinded clinical trial aims to evaluate the effect of ultrasound-guided percutaneous neuromodulation (US-guided PNM) targeting the innervation of the transversus abdominis muscle on squat performance in CrossFit practitioners.
The transversus abdominis is a deep trunk muscle that contributes to lumbopelvic stability and force transmission during functional and athletic movements. Previous research suggests that improving neuromuscular activation of the trunk musculature may enhance movement efficiency and performance during resistance exercises. Ultrasound-guided percutaneous neuromodulation is a minimally invasive technique that applies electrical stimulation through a needle placed close to a peripheral nerve under ultrasound guidance, with the aim of modulating neuromuscular function.
Healthy male and female CrossFit practitioners aged 18 to 60 years, with at least one year of training experience, will participate in the study. Participants will undergo an initial ultrasound assessment of transversus abdominis activation to classify and distribute the sample into groups. In a second session, mean velocity, mean propulsive velocity, and velocity loss during squat performance will be assessed using a linear velocity transducer. Participants will perform 3 sets of 2 repetitions of the squat exercise at 80% of their one-repetition maximum (1RM).
Following baseline assessment, participants will be randomly assigned to either an experimental group receiving ultrasound-guided percutaneous neuromodulation of the iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal nerves, or a sham group receiving needle insertion without electrical stimulation. The intervention will consist of a TENS-type current applied at 10 Hz for 10 cycles of 10 seconds. Squat performance variables will be reassessed immediately after the intervention.
The purpose of this study is to determine whether US-guided percutaneous neuromodulation can acutely improve squat performance in trained CrossFit practitioners. The study hypothesis is that participants receiving active neuromodulation will demonstrate greater improvements in squat execution velocity and lower velocity loss compared with participants receiving the sham intervention.
Eligibility criteria
This trial accepts healthy volunteersQualifiers
Age between 18 and 60 years
At least 1 year of CrossFit training experience
Training frequency between 2 and 6 sessions per week
Disqualifiers
Belonephobia (fear of needles)
Presence of cardiac conditions or implanted cardiac devices (e.g., pacemaker)
Pregnancy
Active oncological process
Trial design
Design model
Parallel
Treatments tested in this trial
ultrasound-guided percutaneous neuromodulation
Other interventionThe intervention will be applied using ultrasound-guided percutaneous neuromodulation of the iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal nerves. The procedure will be performed under ultrasound guidance using a sterile percutaneous needle. In the experimental group, electrical stimulation will be delivered through the needle at a frequency of 10 Hz in 10-second cycles. Stimulation intensity will be adjusted according to participant tolerance, without exceeding the pain threshold.
ultrasound-guided percutaneous neuromodulation (sham)
Other interventionThe sham intervention consists of an ultrasound-guided percutaneous needle insertion performed in the same anatomical region as the experimental procedure (iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal nerves), using identical positioning and procedural setup. No electrical stimulation is delivered through the needle at any point during the procedure. The duration and handling of the procedure are matched to the experimental condition to ensure participant blinding.
Treatment groups
42 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groupsGroup A: ultrasound-guided percutaneous neuromodulationExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Group B: Ultrasound-guided percutaneous neuromodulation (sham)Sham comparator 1 intervention
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
1
Mean Velocity during Back Squat (Linear Velocity Transducer)
Mean velocity will be measured using a linear position transducer attached to the barbell during the back squat exercise. This device records bar displacement over time and allows calculation of bar velocity during the concentric phase of each repetition. The mean velocity of each repetition will be recorded, and the average across repetitions and sets will be used for analysis.
Time frame
Baseline assessment (pre-intervention) and immediately after the intervention (post-intervention, same session).Secondary outcomes
1
Mean Propulsive Velocity during Back Squat (Linear Velocity Transducer)
Mean propulsive velocity will be measured using a linear position transducer attached to the barbell during the back squat exercise. Mean propulsive velocity corresponds to the average bar velocity during the propulsive phase of the concentric movement, from the start of the upward movement until bar acceleration falls below gravitational acceleration. The average value across repetitions and sets will be used for analysis.
Time frame
Baseline assessment (pre-intervention) and immediately after the intervention (post-intervention, same session).2
Velocity Loss Between Sets during Back Squat (Linear Velocity Transducer)
Velocity loss between sets will be calculated from the mean velocity recorded by the linear position transducer during the back squat exercise. This variable will be expressed as the percentage reduction in movement velocity between sets and will be used as an indicator of fatigue resistance.
Time frame
Baseline assessment (pre-intervention) and immediately after the intervention (post-intervention, same session).3
Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE)
Perceived exertion during the back squat exercise will be assessed using a rating of perceived exertion (RPE) scale. Participants will rate the perceived intensity of the exercise after completing the squat protocol. Higher scores indicate greater perceived effort.
Time frame
Baseline assessment (pre-intervention), immediately after the intervention (post-intervention, same session), 1 week after the intervention, and 2 weeks after the intervention.4
Activation of the transverse abdominal muscle
The investigators will measure the resting and activation thicknesses and will calculate the activation ratio.
Time frame
Baseline assessment (pre-intervention) and immediately after the intervention (post-intervention, same session).Sponsors and contacts
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Source ClinicalTrials.gov