NCT07124286

Brief Summary

The goal of this cross-sectional study is to investigate the effects of abdominal bracing, a trunk co-activation maneuver that activates core muscles, on upper extremity performance tests in adolescent female volleyball athletes. The main question it aims to answer is:

  • Does performing the abdominal bracing maneuver increase the upper extremity performance in adolescent female volleyball athletes?

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
23

participants targeted

Target at below P25 for all trials

Timeline
Completed

Started Mar 2023

Shorter than P25 for all trials

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

March 25, 2023

Completed
2 months until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

June 6, 2023

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

June 6, 2023

Completed
2.2 years until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

August 2, 2025

Completed
13 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

August 15, 2025

Completed
Last Updated

August 15, 2025

Status Verified

August 1, 2025

Enrollment Period

2 months

First QC Date

August 2, 2025

Last Update Submit

August 8, 2025

Conditions

Keywords

Core stabilizationAdolescent athletesAbdominal bracing maneuverFunctional Performance

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

  • Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test

    Participants were asked to perform the test with and without the abdominal bracing maneuver. Stability of the closed kinetic chain was assessed.

    Day 1

  • Seated Medicine Ball Throw

    Participants were asked to perform the test with and without the abdominal bracing maneuver. Open kinetic chain was assessed.

    Day 1

Study Arms (1)

Adolescent volleyball athletes

Athletes between the ages of 12-18 were recruited as this study has only one group.

Other: Abdominal Bracing Training

Interventions

The group underwent an abdominal bracing maneuver training. Following the training, they performed the Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test and the Seated Medicine Ball Throw Test in 2 conditions: with abdominal bracing and without abdominal bracing.

Adolescent volleyball athletes

Eligibility Criteria

Age12 Years - 18 Years
Sexfemale
Age GroupsChild (0-17), Adult (18-64)
Sampling MethodNon-Probability Sample
Study Population

All participants were female adolescent volleyball athletes between 12 and 18 years.

You may qualify if:

  • Female adolescent athletes between the ages of 12 and 18
  • Attending a volleyball-specific training program at least two times a week
  • Not having a systemic and/or neurological disorder
  • Not having had a surgery related to upper extremity, lower extremity and/or spine
  • Not having had an upper extremity injury for the past six months

You may not qualify if:

  • Not attending a volleyball-specific training program or attending only once a week
  • Having a systemic and/or neurological disorder
  • Having had a surgery related to upper extremity, lower extremity and/or spine
  • Having had an upper extremity injury for the past six months

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Gazi University

Ankara, Çankaya, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Related Publications (42)

  • Aboufazeli M, Afshar-Mohajer N. Within-day and between-day reliability of thickness measurements of abdominal muscles using ultrasound during abdominal hollowing and bracing maneuvers. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2018 Jan;22(1):122-128. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2017.03.006. Epub 2017 Mar 6.

    PMID: 29332735BACKGROUND
  • Ahmed S, Saraswat A, Esht V. Correlation of core stability with balance, agility and upper limb power in badminton players: A cross-sectional study. Sport Sciences for Health. 2022; 18(1): 165-169.

    BACKGROUND
  • Akuthota V, Nadler SF. Core strengthening. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2004 Mar;85(3 Suppl 1):S86-92. doi: 10.1053/j.apmr.2003.12.005.

    PMID: 15034861BACKGROUND
  • Arora C, Singh P, Varghese V. Biomechanics of core musculature on upper extremity performance in basketball players. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2021 Jul;27:127-133. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2021.02.023. Epub 2021 Mar 5.

    PMID: 34391223BACKGROUND
  • Bauer J, Gruber M, Muehlbauer T. Correlations between core muscle strength endurance and upper-extremity performance in adolescent male sub-elite handball players. Front Sports Act Living. 2022 Nov 10;4:1050279. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2022.1050279. eCollection 2022.

    PMID: 36439625BACKGROUND
  • Briner WW Jr, Kacmar L. Common injuries in volleyball. Mechanisms of injury, prevention and rehabilitation. Sports Med. 1997 Jul;24(1):65-71. doi: 10.2165/00007256-199724010-00006.

    PMID: 9257411BACKGROUND
  • Chattanooga G 2005 Stabilizer™ pressure bio-feedback. Operating instructions. Hixson: Chattanooga Group Inc.

    BACKGROUND
  • Cigercioglu NB, Guney-Deniz H, Unuvar E, Colakoglu F, Baltaci G. Shoulder Range of Motion, Rotator Strength, and Upper-Extremity Functional Performance in Junior Tennis Players. J Sport Rehabil. 2021 Nov 1;30(8):1129-1137. doi: 10.1123/jsr.2021-0038. Epub 2021 Jul 24.

    PMID: 34303312BACKGROUND
  • Davies G, Riemann BL, Manske R. CURRENT CONCEPTS OF PLYOMETRIC EXERCISE. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2015 Nov;10(6):760-86.

    PMID: 26618058BACKGROUND
  • de Araujo RC, Nascimento VYS, Torres RJB, Trombini-Souza F, Behm D, Pitangui ACR. Can the Use of Unstable Surfaces and Instruction for Conscious Abdominal Contraction Increase the EMG Activity of the Periscapular Muscles During the Dynamic Push-Up? J Sport Rehabil. 2020 Feb 1;29(2):225-230. doi: 10.1123/jsr.2018-0165.

    PMID: 30676180BACKGROUND
  • Decleve P, Van Cant J, De Buck E, Van Doren J, Verkouille J, Cools AM. The Self-Assessment Corner for Shoulder Strength: Reliability, Validity, and Correlations With Upper Extremity Physical Performance Tests. J Athl Train. 2020 Apr;55(4):350-358. doi: 10.4085/1062-6050-471-18. Epub 2020 Feb 13.

    PMID: 32053404BACKGROUND
  • de Villarreal ES, Kellis E, Kraemer WJ, Izquierdo M. Determining variables of plyometric training for improving vertical jump height performance: a meta-analysis. J Strength Cond Res. 2009 Mar;23(2):495-506. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e318196b7c6.

    PMID: 19197203BACKGROUND
  • Endo Y, Sakamoto M. Correlation of shoulder and elbow injuries with muscle tightness, core stability, and balance by longitudinal measurements in junior high school baseball players. J Phys Ther Sci. 2014 May;26(5):689-93. doi: 10.1589/jpts.26.689. Epub 2014 May 29.

    PMID: 24926133BACKGROUND
  • Ferreira LGR, de Oliveira AS, do Carmo ND, Santos Bueno GA, Lemos TV, Matheus JPC, de Souza Junior JR. Reliability and validity of the One Arm Hop Test and Seated Medicine Ball Throw Test in young adults: A cross-sectional study. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2021 Oct;28:26-33. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2021.07.018. Epub 2021 Aug 8.

    PMID: 34776150BACKGROUND
  • Garcia-Jaen M, Cortell-Tormo JM, Hernandez-Sanchez S, Tortosa-Martinez J. Influence of Abdominal Hollowing Maneuver on the Core Musculature Activation during the Prone Plank Exercise. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020 Oct 12;17(20):7410. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17207410.

    PMID: 33053717BACKGROUND
  • Gilmer GG, Gascon SS, Oliver GD. Classification of lumbopelvic-hip complex instability on kinematics amongst female team handball athletes. J Sci Med Sport. 2018 Aug;21(8):805-810. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2017.12.009. Epub 2018 Jan 9.

    PMID: 29366828BACKGROUND
  • Grenier SG, McGill SM. Quantification of lumbar stability by using 2 different abdominal activation strategies. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2007 Jan;88(1):54-62. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2006.10.014.

    PMID: 17207676BACKGROUND
  • Grooms DR, Grindstaff TL, Croy T, Hart JM, Saliba SA. Clinimetric analysis of pressure biofeedback and transversus abdominis function in individuals with stabilization classification low back pain. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2013 Mar;43(3):184-93. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2013.4397. Epub 2012 Nov 16.

    PMID: 23160344BACKGROUND
  • Haddas R, Hooper T, James CR, Sizer PS. Volitional Spine Stabilization During a Drop Vertical Jump From Different Landing Heights: Implications for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury. J Athl Train. 2016 Dec;51(12):1003-1012. doi: 10.4085/1062-6050-51.12.18. Epub 2016 Nov 22.

    PMID: 27874298BACKGROUND
  • Haddas R, Sawyer SF, Sizer PS Jr, Brooks T, Chyu MC, James CR. Effects of Volitional Spine Stabilization and Lower Extremity Fatigue on Trunk Control During Landing in Individuals With Recurrent Low Back Pain. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2016 Feb;46(2):71-8. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2016.6048. Epub 2016 Jan 1.

    PMID: 26721228BACKGROUND
  • Jha P, Nuhmani S, Kapoor G, Al Muslem WH, Joseph R, Kachanathu SJ, Alsaadi SM. Efficacy of core stability training on upper extremity performance in collegiate athletes. J Musculoskelet Neuronal Interact. 2022 Dec 1;22(4):498-503.

    PMID: 36458387BACKGROUND
  • Kibler WB, Press J, Sciascia A. The role of core stability in athletic function. Sports Med. 2006;36(3):189-98. doi: 10.2165/00007256-200636030-00001.

    PMID: 16526831BACKGROUND
  • Kisner C, Colby LA 2007 Therapeutic Exercise: Foundations and Techniques (Fifth Edition). FA Davis Company, Philedelphia.

    BACKGROUND
  • Lidor R, Ziv G. Physical and physiological attributes of female volleyball players--a review. J Strength Cond Res. 2010 Jul;24(7):1963-73. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181ddf835.

    PMID: 20543736BACKGROUND
  • Maeo S, Takahashi T, Takai Y, Kanehisa H. Trunk muscle activities during abdominal bracing: comparison among muscles and exercises. J Sports Sci Med. 2013 Sep 1;12(3):467-74. eCollection 2013.

    PMID: 24149153BACKGROUND
  • Matthijs OC, Dedrick GS, James CR, Brismee JM, Hooper TL, McGalliard MK, Sizer PS Jr. Co-contractive activation of the superficial multifidus during volitional preemptive abdominal contraction. PM R. 2014 Jan;6(1):13-21. doi: 10.1016/j.pmrj.2013.08.606. Epub 2013 Sep 13.

    PMID: 24041586BACKGROUND
  • McGill S 2010 Core training: Evidence translating to better performance and injury prevention. Strength and Conditioning Journal 32: 33-46.

    BACKGROUND
  • Nuhmani S. Correlation between Core Stability and Upper-Extremity Performance in Male Collegiate Athletes. Medicina (Kaunas). 2022 Jul 23;58(8):982. doi: 10.3390/medicina58080982.

    PMID: 35893097BACKGROUND
  • Pawlik D, Dziubek W, Rogowski L, Struzik A, Rokita A. Strength Abilities and Serve Reception Efficiency of Youth Female Volleyball Players. Appl Bionics Biomech. 2022 Jun 1;2022:4328761. doi: 10.1155/2022/4328761. eCollection 2022.

    PMID: 35694275BACKGROUND
  • Pontillo M, Silfies S, Butowicz CM, Thigpen C, Sennett B, Ebaugh D. COMPARISON OF CORE STABILITY AND BALANCE IN ATHLETES WITH AND WITHOUT SHOULDER INJURIES. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2018 Dec;13(6):1015-1023.

    PMID: 30534467BACKGROUND
  • Reeser JC, Verhagen E, Briner WW, Askeland TI, Bahr R. Strategies for the prevention of volleyball related injuries. Br J Sports Med. 2006 Jul;40(7):594-600; discussion 599-600. doi: 10.1136/bjsm.2005.018234.

    PMID: 16799111BACKGROUND
  • Saeterbakken AH, van den Tillaar R, Seiler S. Effect of core stability training on throwing velocity in female handball players. J Strength Cond Res. 2011 Mar;25(3):712-8. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181cc227e.

    PMID: 20581697BACKGROUND
  • Scott R, Yang HS, James CR, Sawyer SF, Sizer PS Jr. Volitional Preemptive Abdominal Contraction and Upper Extremity Muscle Latencies During D1 Flexion and Scaption Shoulder Exercises. J Athl Train. 2018 Dec;53(12):1181-1189. doi: 10.4085/1062-6050-255-17. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

    PMID: 30543446BACKGROUND
  • Sheppard JM, Gabbett TJ, Stanganelli LC. An analysis of playing positions in elite men's volleyball: considerations for competition demands and physiologic characteristics. J Strength Cond Res. 2009 Sep;23(6):1858-66. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181b45c6a.

    PMID: 19675472BACKGROUND
  • Shinkle J, Nesser TW, Demchak TJ, McMannus DM. Effect of core strength on the measure of power in the extremities. J Strength Cond Res. 2012 Feb;26(2):373-80. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e31822600e5.

    PMID: 22228111BACKGROUND
  • Silva AF, Clemente FM, Lima R, Nikolaidis PT, Rosemann T, Knechtle B. The Effect of Plyometric Training in Volleyball Players: A Systematic Review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019 Aug 17;16(16):2960. doi: 10.3390/ijerph16162960.

    PMID: 31426481BACKGROUND
  • Swanik KA, Lephart SM, Swanik CB, Lephart SP, Stone DA, Fu FH. The effects of shoulder plyometric training on proprioception and selected muscle performance characteristics. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2002 Nov-Dec;11(6):579-86. doi: 10.1067/mse.2002.127303.

    PMID: 12469083BACKGROUND
  • Tucci HT, Martins J, Sposito Gde C, Camarini PM, de Oliveira AS. Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability test (CKCUES test): a reliability study in persons with and without shoulder impingement syndrome. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2014 Jan 3;15:1. doi: 10.1186/1471-2474-15-1.

    PMID: 24387196BACKGROUND
  • Vega Toro AS, Cools AM, de Oliveira AS. Instruction and feedback for conscious contraction of the abdominal muscles increases the scapular muscles activation during shoulder exercises. Man Ther. 2016 Sep;25:11-8. doi: 10.1016/j.math.2016.05.331. Epub 2016 Jun 1.

    PMID: 27422592BACKGROUND
  • Vera-Garcia FJ, Elvira JL, Brown SH, McGill SM. Effects of abdominal stabilization maneuvers on the control of spine motion and stability against sudden trunk perturbations. J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2007 Oct;17(5):556-67. doi: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2006.07.004. Epub 2006 Sep 22.

    PMID: 16996278BACKGROUND
  • Warren L, Baker R, Nasypany A, Seegmiller J 2014 Core concepts: understanding the complexity of the spinal stabilizing systems in local and global injury prevention and treatment. International Journal of Athletic Therapy and Training 19: 28-33.

    BACKGROUND
  • Weston M, Hibbs AE, Thompson KG, Spears IR. Isolated core training improves sprint performance in national-level junior swimmers. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2015 Mar;10(2):204-10. doi: 10.1123/ijspp.2013-0488. Epub 2014 Jul 8.

    PMID: 25025936BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Arm Injuries

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Wounds and Injuries

Study Officials

  • Betül Kaya, RA

    Ankara Yildirim Beyazıt University

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
  • Zeynep Hazar, Prof.

    Gazi University

    STUDY DIRECTOR

Study Design

Study Type
observational
Observational Model
CASE ONLY
Time Perspective
CROSS SECTIONAL
Target Duration
1 Day
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Research Assistant

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

August 2, 2025

First Posted

August 15, 2025

Study Start

March 25, 2023

Primary Completion

June 6, 2023

Study Completion

June 6, 2023

Last Updated

August 15, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-08

Locations