STRIDE: Strength of The Calf Muscles and Their Role In Declining Effectiveness of Movement With Aging

Starting soon

Conditions studied: Sarcopenia, Aging, Muscle Weakness or Atrophy, Frailty

In brief

The calf muscles (plantarflexors) are the most important muscles for walking, running and daily activities. Weakness of these muscles through aging and disease significantly impact a person's ability to walk and complete daily activities. By assessing calf strength, it is possible to identify people at risk of falls, and a condition called sarcopenia (which means loss of muscle mass, strength and function). Unfortunately, most of the studies that have examined this have used specialist equipment unavailable to hospital staff. Our study aims to use commercially available equipment to explore the relationship between plantarflexor muscle strength and physical performance in adults living with or without sarcopenia, including those at risk of it. The study will determine if stronger/weaker calf muscles associated with sarcopenia influence the ability to walk and do things more easily. We will complete strength tests of the calf, thigh and hand, assess walking using a special camera system, use an ultrasound scan to look at the Achilles tendon, use a scan to look at how stiff your calf muscles are, assess your body composition, complete a physical performance test and some questionnaires. Each participant will complete the measures during one clinic visit

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07726498

Run by

University of Leicester

People needed

200

Starts

2026-08-01

Expected to finish

2028-02-29

Last updated by the study team

2026-07-24

Who can join

Age: 18 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Participant is able and willing to provide informed consent to participate in the study
• Aged 18 years or over
• Ambulatory status: able to walk independently with or without aids
• Able to attend clinic

You may not qualify if…

• Participant is unwilling or unable to give informed consent.
• Palliative/ end of life
• Moderate to severe communication difficulties/ cognitive function
• Immobile
• Lower limb surgery within the last 6 months
• Recent lower limb fracture
• Unstable cardiopulmonary conditions
• Severe impairments of vision or vestibular system
• Lower limb corticosteroid injection within the last 6 months
• No restriction on language

Where it is running

• University of Leicester — Leicester, United Kingdom

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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