Adolescent Elite Athletes: Trunk Mobility, Lower Extremity Flexibility, and Functional Balance Across Sports

NCT07395947 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: TU-SBF-2025-10-27
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 150
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This cross-sectional observational study compared trunk mobility, hamstring flexibility, and dynamic functional balance performance among elite male adolescent athletes aged 15-17 years from different sports branches, including wrestling, sprint athletics, canoe/kayak, and taekwondo. All assessments were conducted during a single baseline evaluation session using standardized, non-invasive clinical measurement tools. Trunk mobility was assessed using a digital inclinometer, hamstring flexibility was evaluated with the passive Straight Leg Raise test using a goniometer, and dynamic functional balance was measured using the Y-Balance Test composite score on the dominant lower extremity. The findings of this study provide sport-specific reference data and contribute to the identification of biomechanical characteristics related to mobility, flexibility, and balance in elite adolescent athletes across different sports disciplines.

Conditions

Functional Balance; Mobility Limitation; Lower Extremity Problem

Keywords

Adolescent Athletes; balance; lower extremity

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Y-Balance Test Composite Score (%)

  Dynamic functional balance performance assessed using the Y-Balance Test. The composite score is calculated from normalized anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral reach distances performed on the dominant lower extremity.

  At study enrollment (single baseline assessment)

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Trunk Mobility - Inclinometer Range of Motion (°)

  At study enrollment (single baseline assessment)

• Hamstring Flexibility - Straight Leg Raise Angle (°)

  At study enrollment (single baseline assessment)

• Body Fat Percentage (%)

  At study enrollment (single baseline assessment)

• Body Mass Index (BMI, kg/m²)

  At study enrollment (single baseline assessment)

Study Arms (4)

Wrestling Athletes Group/ Cohort

Elite male adolescent athletes competing in wrestling.

Other: No intervention

Sprint Athletes Group/ Cohort

Elite male adolescent athletes competing in sprint athletics.

Other: No intervention

Canoe/Kayak Athletes Group/ Cohort

Elite male adolescent athletes competing in canoe/kayak disciplines.

Other: No intervention

Taekwondo Athletes Group/ Cohort

Elite male adolescent athletes competing in taekwondo.

Other: No intervention

Interventions

No intervention OTHER

No intervention was administered. This study was observational in nature

Canoe/Kayak Athletes Group/ Cohort; Sprint Athletes Group/ Cohort; Taekwondo Athletes Group/ Cohort; Wrestling Athletes Group/ Cohort

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 15 Years - 17 Years
• Gender Eligibility Details: Male elite sprinter athletes
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study population consists of elite male adolescent athletes aged 15-17 years who are actively training and competing in different sports branches, including wrestling, sprint athletics, canoe/kayak, and taekwondo. Participants are recruited from sports performance centers and evaluated using standardized, non-invasive clinical assessments of trunk mobility, flexibility, and functional balance.

You may qualify if:

• Male adolescent athletes aged 15-17 years
• Licensed and actively training and competing in their respective sports branch
• Minimum of 3 years of continuous training experience
• Ability to complete all clinical and biomechanical assessments
• Written informed consent obtained from the participant and a parent or legal guardian

You may not qualify if:

• Acute musculoskeletal injury within the past 3 months
• Chronic lower extremity or spinal pathology
• History of orthopedic surgery within the past 6 months
• Neurological, metabolic, or systemic condition affecting movement or balance
• Inability to comply with the testing protocol or incomplete assessment data

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Eastern Mediterranean University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Burcin Ugur Tosun

Famagusta, 99010, Cyprus

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Mobility Limitation

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

• burcin ugur tosun

  Ministry of Youth and Sports, Olympic Preparation Center, Adana, Türkiye

  STUDY CHAIR

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator PhD Physiotherapist Burcin Ugur Tosun

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 26, 2025
• First Posted: February 9, 2026
• Study Start: November 1, 2024
• Primary Completion: November 15, 2025
• Study Completion: December 16, 2025
• Last Updated: February 13, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Locations

CY (1)