The Effects of Core and Shoulder Stabilization Exercises on Athletic Performance and Injury Risk in Master Swimmers

NCT06681311 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: MarmaraU- AYDOĞDU- ÇETİN001
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 40
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The inclusion of dryland training and stabilization exercises is crucial for optimizing performance and reducing injury risk in master swimmers. Exercises targeting core stabilization play a significant role in enhancing overall body strength and endurance, thereby improving swimming performance. Shoulder stabilization exercises address common issues faced by swimmers, such as shoulder impingement and rotator cuff injuries, contributing to the prevention of such injuries. Incorporating these exercises into the training regimen enables master swimmers to improve their posture, balance, and strength, resulting in more efficient performance in the water and reduced injury risk. Thus, a comprehensive training approach that includes both aquatic and stabilization exercises is of great importance for sustaining performance and ensuring long-term health in master swimmers. The aim of this study is to examine the effects of core and shoulder stabilization exercise training on athletic performance and injury risk in master swimmers. Our study is designed to include healthy swimmer participants. A minimum of 34 master swimmers aged between 25 and 50 years will be recruited for the study. Prior to the stabilization training program, participants will undergo several assessments including the Isometric Plank Test (Prone Bridge Test), Closed Kinetic Chain Test, Medicine Ball Throw Test, 50m Freestyle Test, and Functional Movement Screening for injury risk assessment. After initial testing, the control group will perform a 5-minute traditional dryland warm-up focusing on the shoulders, core, and lower extremities before swimming workouts. The experimental group will receive core and shoulder stabilization exercises in addition to the traditional dryland warm-up and routine swimming training for 6 weeks (2 days per week). To assess the effects of the intervention, all tests will be repeated at the beginning, at the end of the 6-week exercise program, and in the 12th week. The literature does not provide information on the relationship between combined core and shoulder stabilization exercises and performance or injury risk in swimmers. This study aims to address this gap in the literature by investigating whether there are significant differences in the results obtained from the exercises and to contribute to future research aimed at enhancing performance and reducing injury risk in athletes.

Conditions

Athletic Performance and Injury Risk

Keywords

Master Swimmers; Stabilization Exercises; Athletic Performance; Injury Risk Assesment

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Functional Movement Screen

  The evaluation of injury risk in participants will be conducted purposefully. The Functional Movement Screening (FMS) will be used for this assessment (Lockie et al., 2015). The FMS consists of seven fundamental movements: deep squat, hurdle step, inline lunge, shoulder mobility, active straight-leg raise, trunk stability push-up, and rotary stability (Cook et al., 2006). Scoring will be performed based on observations: a score of 3 will be given when the movement is performed in the desired pattern, 2 points if the movement is partially or fully completed but with compensatory mechanisms used, 1 point if the movement is not completed, and 0 points if pain is present at any point during the movement. The total score for the athlete will be calculated by summing the scores obtained from each movement. If the athlete scores 14 or less, their functional movement capacity will be defined as low and the risk of injury will be considered high (Cook et al., 2006).

  At the baseline

• Functional Movement Screen

  The evaluation of injury risk in participants will be conducted purposefully. The Functional Movement Screening (FMS) will be used for this assessment (Lockie et al., 2015). The FMS consists of seven fundamental movements: deep squat, hurdle step, inline lunge, shoulder mobility, active straight-leg raise, trunk stability push-up, and rotary stability (Cook et al., 2006). Scoring will be performed based on observations: a score of 3 will be given when the movement is performed in the desired pattern, 2 points if the movement is partially or fully completed but with compensatory mechanisms used, 1 point if the movement is not completed, and 0 points if pain is present at any point during the movement. The total score for the athlete will be calculated by summing the scores obtained from each movement. If the athlete scores 14 or less, their functional movement capacity will be defined as low and the risk of injury will be considered high (Cook et al., 2006).

  Six week later

• Functional Movement Screen

  The evaluation of injury risk in participants will be conducted purposefully. The Functional Movement Screening (FMS) will be used for this assessment (Lockie et al., 2015). The FMS consists of seven fundamental movements: deep squat, hurdle step, inline lunge, shoulder mobility, active straight-leg raise, trunk stability push-up, and rotary stability (Cook et al., 2006). Scoring will be performed based on observations: a score of 3 will be given when the movement is performed in the desired pattern, 2 points if the movement is partially or fully completed but with compensatory mechanisms used, 1 point if the movement is not completed, and 0 points if pain is present at any point during the movement. The total score for the athlete will be calculated by summing the scores obtained from each movement. If the athlete scores 14 or less, their functional movement capacity will be defined as low and the risk of injury will be considered high (Cook et al., 2006).

  Twelve week later

Secondary Outcomes (12)

• Prone Bridge Test

  At the baseline

• Prone Bridge Test

  Six week later

• Prone Bridge Test

  Twelve week later

• Closed Kinetic Chain Test

  At the baseline

• Closed Kinetic Chain Test

  Six week later

Study Arms (2)

Exercises Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Other: Exercises

Control Group

NO INTERVENTION

Interventions

Exercises OTHER

During the research period, all participants will undergo swimming training for 1 hour per day, 3-4 days a week for 6 weeks. The control group will perform a 5-minute land warm-up covering traditional shoulder, torso, and leg areas before their routine swimming training. In addition to the traditional warm-up program and swimming training, the experimental group will also participate in core and shoulder stabilization exercises under the supervision of a physiotherapist.

Exercises Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 25 Years - 50 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Individuals aged 25-50
• Those who engage in swimming training at least 3-4 days a week
• Volunteers willing to participate in the study
• Licensed competitive swimmers
• Masters swimmers (A competitive swimming class for swimmers aged 25 and older, knowledgeable in swimming techniques and competing according to FINA (International Swimming Federation) rules) (https://www.worldaquatics.com/masters/latest; Accessed: 25.05.2024)

You may not qualify if:

• Individuals with chronic diseases affecting orthopedic, neurological, cardiovascular, or other systems
• Individuals with cognitive dysfunction
• Those who regularly engage in strength training
• Non-volunteers unwilling to participate in the study
• Individuals outside the age range of 25-50
• Any condition or discomfort that would hinder the performance of tests
• Having sustained a sports injury affecting swimming performance in the past six months

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Marmara University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Marmara University

Istanbul, Maltepe, 34854, Turkey (Türkiye)

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Exercise

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Motor Activity; Movement; Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena

Central Study Contacts

Melda Çetin, Physiotherapist

CONTACT

05304609111; cetinn.meldaa@gmail.com

Onur Aydoğdu, Assistant Professor

CONTACT

05055377277; onur.aydogdu@marmara.edu.tr

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: SEQUENTIAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 7, 2024
• First Posted: November 8, 2024
• Study Start: July 30, 2024
• Primary Completion: October 30, 2024
• Study Completion: November 30, 2024
• Last Updated: November 8, 2024

Record last verified: 2024-07

Locations

TU (1)