Isometric Core Training and Swimming Performance in Adolescent Amputee Swimmers

NCT07619963 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 2024-03-73
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 30
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Adolescent amputee swimmers often experience challenges related to trunk stabilization, postural control, and efficient force transfer during swimming because of asymmetric biomechanics associated with limb loss. Core muscle training has been proposed as a potential dryland conditioning strategy to support swimming performance and trunk endurance in Para-swimmers; however, evidence from randomized controlled trials in adolescent amputee swimmers remains limited. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of a 12-week supervised isometric core training program on trunk muscular endurance and 50-meter freestyle swimming performance in adolescent amputee swimmers. Participants will be randomly assigned to either an experimental group receiving additional isometric core training together with standard swimming training or a control group performing standard swimming training only. Primary outcome measures will include 50-meter freestyle performance time. Secondary outcome measures will include trunk muscular endurance assessments such as the 20-second sit-up test, 20-second reverse sit-up test, supine bent-knee leg hold, and prone trunk-extension hold. Assessments will be performed before and after the 12-week intervention period. The findings of this study may contribute to the development of evidence-based dryland conditioning programs for adolescent Para-swimmers with limb amputations.

Conditions

Sport; Amputation; Paralympic Athletes

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• 50-m Freestyle Swimming Performance

  Official 50-m freestyle race time measured using FINA-approved electronic timing equipment during national Para-swimming competitions.

  Baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• 20-second Sit-up Performance

  Baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention

• 20-second Reverse Sit-up Performance

  Baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention

• Supine Bent-knee Leg Hold Duration

  Baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention

• Prone Trunk-extension Hold Duration

  Baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention

Study Arms (2)

Experimental Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in the experimental group completed a 12-week supervised isometric core training program in addition to their regular swimming training. The intervention was performed three times per week and included individualized trunk stabilization and endurance exercises adapted to the athlete's level of amputation.

Behavioral: Isometric Core Training

Control Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants in the control group continued their regular swimming training program for 12 weeks without additional dryland core training.

Other: Standard Swimming Training

Interventions

Isometric Core Training BEHAVIORAL

Participants assigned to the experimental group completed a supervised 12-week isometric core training program in addition to their regular swimming training. The intervention was performed three times per week and included individualized exercises targeting trunk stabilization, abdominal endurance, and lumbopelvic control. Exercises were adapted according to the athlete's level of upper- or lower-limb amputation and included front plank, side plank, trunk-extension holds, bridge exercises, Pallof press holds, and bird-dog/dead-bug variations. Training duration and resistance were progressively increased throughout the intervention period.

Experimental Group

Standard Swimming Training OTHER

Participants assigned to the control group continued their regular swimming training program for 12 weeks without any additional dryland core training intervention. The swimming program consisted of routine in-water training sessions conducted at the Ankara Olympic Preparation Centre according to the standard preparation program for competitive Para-swimmers.

Control Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 14 Years - 20 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Upper- or lower-limb amputation
• Participation in at least two consecutive Turkish National Para-swimming -Championships
• Active training with regular competitive participation
• Age between 14 and 20 years
• Ability to participate in regular swimming and exercise training
• Written informed consent obtained from participants and/or parents/guardians

You may not qualify if:

• Discontinuation of regular training or competitive participation
• Acute musculoskeletal injury or cardiovascular condition preventing maximal exercise participation
• Refusal or inability to participate in the study protocol
• Failure to complete the intervention or assessment procedures

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Istanbul Gelisim University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Istanbul Gelisim University

Istanbul, 34290, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Ress. Asst.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 7, 2026
• First Posted: June 2, 2026
• Study Start: March 1, 2024
• Primary Completion: June 1, 2024
• Study Completion: June 1, 2024
• Last Updated: June 2, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Locations

TU (1)