Trunk Muscle Endurance and Flexibility as Determinants of Athletic Performance in Elite Adolescent Tennis Players

NCT07447765 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: OMÜKAEK2024/172
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 38
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study aims to examine how trunk (core) muscle endurance and flexibility relate to athletic performance in elite adolescent tennis players aged 11-18 years. Tennis requires speed, balance, strength, coordination, and repeated high-intensity movements. The trunk region plays an important role in transferring force between the upper and lower body and in maintaining posture and stability during sports activities. However, there is limited research on how trunk physical characteristics influence performance in young elite tennis players. Participants who actively compete in tennis tournaments and train regularly will complete a set of standardized tests assessing flexibility, trunk muscle endurance, balance, sprint speed, agility, and strength. The results will help researchers understand whether trunk flexibility and endurance are associated with better athletic performance. Findings may guide coaches and health professionals in designing training programs that improve performance and potentially reduce injury risk in young athletes.

Conditions

Sports Performance; Trunk Muscle Function; Athletic Performance; Physical Fitness

Keywords

Endurance; Flexibility; Trunk; Sports performance

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (5)

• 20-Meter Sprint Time

  Sprint performance is assessed using a 20-meter sprint test. Participants perform a maximal sprint over a 20-meter distance, and time is recorded in seconds using a stopwatch. Lower time values indicate better sprint performance.

  Baseline

• T-Drill Agility Test Time

  Agility performance is measured using the T-drill test. Participants complete a standardized agility course involving forward sprinting, lateral shuffling, and backward running. Completion time is recorded in seconds. Lower time values indicate better agility performance.

  Baseline

• Vertical Jump Height

  Lower extremity explosive power is assessed using a vertical jump test. Jump height is measured in centimeters. Higher jump height values indicate better explosive strength performance.

  Baseline

• Medicine Ball Throw Distance

  Upper extremity explosive power is evaluated using a medicine ball throw test. The distance the ball is thrown is measured in centimeters. Greater distances indicate better upper body explosive strength performance.

  Baseline

• Dynamic Balance Performance (Y Balance Test)

  Dynamic balance is assessed using the Y Balance Test. Reach distances in the anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral directions are measured and normalized to leg length (expressed as percentages). Higher percentage values indicate better dynamic balance performance.

  Baseline

Secondary Outcomes (7)

• Sit-and-Reach Test Distance (cm)

  Baseline

• Biering-Sørensen Test Duration

  Baseline

• Trunk Lateral Flexion Distance

  Baseline

• Trunk Extension Distance

  Baseline

• Trunk Rotation Distance

  Baseline

Study Arms (1)

Elite Adolescent Tennis Players

Elite tennis players aged 11 to 18 years who actively compete and train regularly. Participants undergo standardized assessments of trunk muscle endurance, flexibility, and athletic performance. No intervention is applied; all measurements are observational and conducted under standardized conditions.

Other: Physical Performance Assessment

Interventions

Physical Performance Assessment OTHER

Participants undergo a standardized assessment protocol including trunk muscle endurance tests, flexibility measurements, balance, sprint, agility, strength, and power performance tests. No therapeutic or training intervention is applied. All procedures are observational and conducted under standardized testing conditions.

Elite Adolescent Tennis Players

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 11 Years - 18 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Elite adolescent tennis players who are licensed athletes, actively training and competing in tennis clubs. Participants represent trained youth athletes with regular high-frequency training exposure and competitive experience.

You may qualify if:

• Aged between 11 and 18 years
• Elite tennis players actively competing in official tournaments
• Minimum of 3 years of regular tennis training experience
• Participating in tennis training at least 4 days per week
• Ability to understand and follow instructions
• Written informed consent provided by participant and parent/guardian (if under 18)

You may not qualify if:

• History of musculoskeletal injury within the past 6 months affecting performance
• Presence of neurological, orthopedic, sensory, or motor disorders
• Any medical condition limiting physical activity
• Current pain that may affect test performance
• Pregnancy

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Hacettepe University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Ondokuz Mayis University

Samsun, Atakum, 55270, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Study Officials

• SÜMEYYE ZEHRA Z GÜLER, MSc

  Ondokuz Mayıs University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Research Assistant

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 26, 2026
• First Posted: March 3, 2026
• Study Start: April 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: June 1, 2025
• Study Completion: June 1, 2025
• Last Updated: March 5, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)