Impact of a Cueing Device on Upper Extremity Muscle Strength in Swimmers

NCT06923930 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 2305310-1/2304240-1
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 36
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this study is to find out if a tool called an external cueing device (ECD) can help young swimmers improve their shoulder function. An ECD is a tool that limits arm movement and gives the swimmer a target to focus on while doing exercises. The main questions this study will answer are:

• Does using an ECD during certain exercises improve muscle strength?
• Does using an ECD while exercising help with shoulder stability? Participants will:
• Test their shoulder muscle strength and stability at the beginning of the study.
• Complete 8 exercises as part of their regular dry-land training program for 6 weeks.
• Repeat the same tests after 3 weeks and again at the end of the study.

Conditions

Healthy Volunteers Only

Keywords

External cue; Shoulder Stability; Strength Exercise; Adolescent Swimmer

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (7)

• Change from baseline in isometric muscle torque production at 180 degrees shoulder abduction

  Handheld dynamometer assessment of force production times lever arm distance (Newton.meters) of prone shoulder elevation in 180 degrees of abduction completed at baseline, after 3 and 6 weeks of the training program.

  Baseline, 3 weeks, 6 weeks.

• Change from baseline in isometric muscle torque production at 135 degrees shoulder abduction

  Handheld dynamometer assessment of force production times lever arm distance (Newton.meters) of prone shoulder elevation in 135 degrees of abduction completed at baseline, after 3 and 6 weeks of the training program.

  Baseline, 3 weeks, 6 weeks.

• Change from baseline in isometric muscle torque production at 90 degrees shoulder abduction

  Handheld dynamometer assessment of force production times lever arm distance (Newton.meters) of prone shoulder elevation in 90 degrees of abduction completed at baseline, after 3 and 6 weeks of the training program.

  Baseline, 3 weeks, 6 weeks.

• Change from baseline in modified Athletic Shoulder Test at 180 degrees shoulder abduction

  Maximum isometric force production with lying prone into a handheld dynamometer at a given lever arm distance results in muscle torque (Newton.meters) reading. This portion of the test is conducted at 180 degrees of abduction.

  Baseline, 3 weeks, 6 weeks.

• Change from baseline in modified Athletic Shoulder Test at 135 degrees shoulder abduction

  Maximum isometric force production with lying prone into a handheld dynamometer at a given lever arm distance results in muscle torque (Newton.meters) reading. This portion of the test is conducted at 135 degrees of abduction.

  Baseline, 3 weeks, 6 weeks.

• Change from baseline in modified Athletic Shoulder Test at 90 degrees shoulder abduction

  Maximum isometric force production with lying prone into a handheld dynamometer at a given lever arm distance results in muscle torque (Newton.meters) reading. This portion of the test is conducted at 90 degrees of abduction.

  Baseline, 3 weeks, 6 weeks.

• Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test Power Score

  Two strips of tape are placed 36 inches apart. Participants assume a push up position (male) or pushup on knees (Female) and are instructed to reach across and touch the opposing hand alternating arms. Maximum number of touches in 15 seconds is recorded. Normalization is made by multiplying the raw touch score by 0.68 x Subject weight in Kg (representing the mass on the head arms and trunk) and dividing by the 15 seconds. Higher number indicates increased shoulder stability.

  Baseline, 6 weeks.

Secondary Outcomes (5)

• Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test Raw Touch Score

  Baseline, 6 weeks.

• Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test Touch Score

  Baseline, 6 weeks.

• Maximal Prone Arm Elevation at 180 degrees abduction

  Baseline, 3 weeks, 6 weeks.

• Maximal Prone Arm Elevation at 135 degrees abduction

  Baseline, 3 weeks, 6 weeks.

• Maximal Prone Arm Elevation at 90 degrees abduction

  Baseline, 3 weeks, 6 weeks.

Study Arms (2)

Shoulder Stabilization Exercise

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Protocol contains 8 exercises ("I", "Y", "T", "i", "w", alternating arm "I"/"i", "n", and supine serratus punch) completed for 8 repetitions each for 3 weeks, and in weeks 4-6 completed at 2 sets of 8 repetitions each. Standard group coaching assistance will be provided.

Other: Exercise

Shoulder Stabilization Exercise with External Cueing Device

EXPERIMENTAL

Protocol contains 8 exercises ("I", "Y", "T", "i", "w", alternating arm "I"/"i", "n", and supine serratus punch) completed for 8 repetitions each for 3 weeks, and in weeks 4-6 completed at 2 sets of 8 repetitions each. External cueing device provides movement pattern constraint and an external target zone for the individual for each exercise. Standard group coaching assistance will be provided.

Device: External Cueing Device; Other: Exercise

Interventions

External Cueing Device DEVICE

A portable product that provides movement pattern constraints to ensure improved exercise form, and provides a target zone for exercise effort

Shoulder Stabilization Exercise with External Cueing Device

Exercise OTHER

Shoulder stabilization exercise protocol contains 8 exercises ("I", "Y", "T", "i", "w", alternating arm "I"/"i", "n", and supine serratus punch) completed for 8 repetitions each for 3 weeks, and in weeks 4-6 completed at 2 sets of 8 repetitions each.

Shoulder Stabilization Exercise; Shoulder Stabilization Exercise with External Cueing Device

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 11 Years - 18 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Healthy Volunteer Adolescent Swimmers
• Member of CMSA

You may not qualify if:

• Swimmers under the age of 11 years of age.
• Swimmers that are not registered as athletes through United States Swimming.
• Swimmers that are not enrolled in Age Group III, Senior 1, Senior 2, or Senior 3
• Swimmers not attending practice due to an injury (i.e., shoulder, back, etc.).
• Swimmers currently not participating in a dryland program offered through CMSA.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of South Alabama: lead

Study Sites (1)

Fredericka G. Evans Cultural Centre

Mobile, Alabama, 36603, United States

Location

Related Publications (2)

• de Oliveira VM, Pitangui AC, Nascimento VY, da Silva HA, Dos Passos MH, de Araujo RC. TEST-RETEST RELIABILITY OF THE CLOSED KINETIC CHAIN UPPER EXTREMITY STABILITY TEST (CKCUEST) IN ADOLESCENTS: RELIABILITY OF CKCUEST IN ADOLESCENTS. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2017 Feb;12(1):125-132.

  PMID: 28217423 BACKGROUND

• Tooth C, Forthomme B, Croisier JL, Gofflot A, Bornheim S, Schwartz C. The Modified-Athletic Shoulder Test: Reliability and validity of a new on-field assessment tool. Phys Ther Sport. 2022 Nov;58:8-15. doi: 10.1016/j.ptsp.2022.08.003. Epub 2022 Aug 30.

  PMID: 36088802 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Exercise

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

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

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy

Model Details: Exercise Program Alone Exercise Program with External Cueing Device

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 29, 2025
• First Posted: April 11, 2025
• Study Start: April 20, 2025
• Primary Completion: July 25, 2025
• Study Completion: July 25, 2025
• Last Updated: April 13, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)