Neuromuscular Effects of Coordinated Locomotor Training on Core Stability and Postural Control in Athletes

NCT07641777 | Active Not Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: TUF/EIRB/ 196 /26
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 28
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Core stability and postural control are essential for athletic performance. They affect how efficiently an athlete moves, maintains balance, and avoids injuries. However, researchers have not yet fully explored how coordinated locomotor training - a movement approach that uses walking patterns combined with sprinter and skater positions - changes the way an athlete's nerves and muscles work together. This study aims to compare the effects of coordinated locomotor training versus traditional plyometric exercises on core stability and balance control in novice runners. The study will enroll 28 novice runners between 18 and 30 years of age. Participants must run less than 10 miles per week and have less than one year of consistent running experience. They will be randomly assigned to either the coordinated locomotor training group or the plyometric training group. The intervention lasts 8 weeks with two sessions per week. Each session runs for about 60 minutes. The researchers will measure core endurance using the Mcgill core endurance tests and the Sahrmann core stability test. Dynamic balance will be assessed using the Star Excursion Balance Test. Postural control will be evaluated using the Romberg test. The researchers expect that athletes who undergo coordinated locomotor training will show greater improvements in core muscle activation and postural control compared to those who perform plyometric exercises. If proven effective, this training method could provide coaches and trainers with an evidence-based strategy to enhance athletic performance and reduce injury risk.

Conditions

Postural Control Deficits; Core Stability

Keywords

Coordinated Locomotor Training; Core Stability; Postural Control; Athletes; Neuromuscular Training

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Change in Mcgill Core Endurance Test Scores

  The Mcgill core endurance tests consist of four subtests: trunk flexor test, trunk extensor test, right side bridge test, and left side bridge test. For each test, participants hold a specific position for as long as possible. The time in seconds is recorded for each position. Longer hold times indicate better core endurance.

  Baseline (Week 0) and Week 8 (post-intervention)

• Change in Sahrmann Core Stability Test Level

  The Sahrmann core stability test consists of 5 progressive levels. Participants start with Level 1 (lifting one leg to 90 degrees hip and knee flexion) and progress through increasing difficulty to Level 5 (lowering both legs simultaneously without heels touching the table). The highest level successfully completed without compensatory movement is recorded. Higher levels indicate better core stability.

  Baseline (Week 0) and Week 8 (post-intervention)

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Change in Romberg Test Performance

  Baseline (Week 0) and Week 8 (post-intervention)

Study Arms (2)

Coordinated Locomotor Training Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this arm receive coordinated locomotor training (CLT) consisting of sprinter and skater position exercises performed in supine, crawling, sitting, and standing positions. Each session lasts 60 minutes, twice weekly for 8 weeks (16 sessions total).

Other: Coordinated Locomotor Training; Other: Plyometric Training

Plyometric Training Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants in this arm receive plyometric training consisting of multi-directional jumps and squat jumps onto a 45 cm box. Each session includes warm-up, activation series, and cool-down. Sessions are conducted twice weekly for 8 weeks.

Other: Plyometric Training

Interventions

Coordinated Locomotor Training OTHER

Coordinated locomotor training is an exercise technique that visualizes and simplifies human movement by combining walking patterns with sprinter and skater positions. The intervention includes: (1) A 5-minute warm-up familiarizing participants with sprinter and skater techniques in standing position; (2) Main CLT session of 60 minutes performed in supine, crawling, sitting, and standing positions; (3) Each position requires 10 repetitions per set, with 3 sets completed; (4) Total of 16 sessions conducted over 8 weeks, twice per week. The training is supervised by trained physical therapists.

Coordinated Locomotor Training Group

Plyometric Training OTHER

Plyometric training consists of: (1) Warm-up with 2 series of 30 seconds stimulation and 30 seconds cool-down with multi-directional jumps, with 5-second intervals between jumps; (2) 6 series of squat jumps onto a 45 cm box, with 30 seconds activation and 30 seconds relaxation, with 2-second intervals between jumps; (3) Total of 16 sessions conducted over 8 weeks, twice per week. Each session is supervised by trained physical therapists.

Coordinated Locomotor Training Group; Plyometric Training Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 30 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Age between 18 and 30 years
• Running less than 10 miles (approximately 16 kilometers) per week
• Not participating in running sports (such as soccer, track, or cross-country) more than once per week
• Less than one year of consistent running experience
• Male and female novice runners
• Willing to provide written informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• History of musculoskeletal injury (including fractures, ligament tears, or muscle strains) in the past six months
• Diagnosed neurological disorders (such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, or Parkinson's disease)
• Diagnosed vestibular disorders (such as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo or labyrinthitis)
• Presence of current pain, discomfort, or functional limitation during normal daily activities or athletic activities
• Presence of cardiovascular disorders (such as uncontrolled hypertension or heart disease) that restrict moderate to high intensity physical activity
• Presence of respiratory disorders (such as severe asthma or COPD) that restrict moderate to high intensity physical activity
• Regular use of medications that affect neuromuscular performance, coordination, or balance (including sedatives, muscle relaxants, or antiepileptic drugs)
• Pregnancy
• Any condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, would preclude safe participation in exercise training

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Faisalabad: lead

Study Sites (1)

The University of Faisalabad

Faisalābad, Punjab Province, 3800, Pakistan

Location

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Plyometric Exercise

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Exercise Therapy; Rehabilitation; Aftercare; Continuity of Patient Care; Patient Care; Therapeutics; Physical Therapy Modalities; Physical Conditioning, Human; Exercise; Motor Activity; Movement; Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: The outcome assessors and data analysts will be blinded to group allocation. Participants and intervention providers cannot be blinded due to the nature of the exercise interventions.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 6, 2026
• First Posted: June 11, 2026
• Study Start: February 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): June 30, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): July 15, 2026
• Last Updated: June 11, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PA (1)