Alterations in Spiking Following Muscle Fatigue in Volleyball Players

NCT07687550 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: NYCU114118AF
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 35
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study aims (1)to investigate the effects of repetitive functional overhead movements targeting shoulder and scapular muscles on glenohumeral and scapular kinematics and muscle activation during the arm cocking and acceleration of spiking, and changes in subacromial structures in healthy recreational volleyball players; (2) to compare these fatigue-related changes between athletes with good and poor shoulder motor control.

Conditions

Fatigue

Keywords

Fatigue; Athlete; Volleyball

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Degree of the glenohumeral and scapulothoracic joint during spiking

  The kinematics is assessed using an electromagnetic motion tracking system (VIPERTM, Polhemus, USA) to measure the glenohumeral elevation, horizontal abduction/adduction, internal/external rotation, and scapulothoracic retraction/protraction, upward/downward rotation, anterior/posterior tilt during spiking movement. During the test, participants performed 3 times of cross-body spikes, with 15 seconds of rest between each trial. Data were collected at the end of the arm cocking (maximal shoulder horizontal abduction) and at ball-contact (maximal footswitch signal), and reported as mean values for each trial. (unit of measure: degree, °)

  Baseline, immediately post-intervention (Day 1)

• Activation amplitude of the glenohumeral and periscapular muscles

  The muscle activation amplitude of the serratus anterior, upper trapezius, lower trapezius, middle deltoid, infraspinatus, and pectoralis major during spiking movement. During the test, participants performed 3 times of cross-body spikes, with 15 seconds of rest between each trial. Data were collected in the arm cocking phase (from minimal shoulder elevation to the shoulder maximal horizontal abduction) and the acceleration phase (from maximal shoulder horizontal abduction to the ball-contact), and reported as mean values for each trial. (unit of measure: percentage, %)

  Baseline, immediately post-intervention (Day 1)

• Mean power frequency of the glenohumeral and periscapular muscles

  The mean power frequency of the serratus anterior, upper trapezius, lower trapezius, middle deltoid, infraspinatus, and pectoralis major during spiking movement. During the test, participants performed 3 times of cross-body spikes, with 15 seconds of rest between each trial. Data were collected in the arm cocking phase (from minimal shoulder elevation to the shoulder maximal horizontal abduction) and the acceleration phase (from maximal shoulder horizontal abduction to the ball-contact), and reported as mean values for each trial. (unit of measure: hertz, Hz)

  Baseline, immediately post-intervention (Day 1)

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Acromio-humeral distance and thickness of supraspinatus tendon thickness during arm elevation

  Baseline, immediately post-intervention (Day 1)

• Degree of shoulder elevation at greater tuberosity-acromion alignment during arm elevation

  Baseline, immediately post-intervention (Day 1)

Study Arms (2)

Poor shoulder motor control

During shoulder medial rotation up to 60° in supine position, the scapula forward tilts or elevation occurs, difficulties in breathing, performing difficulties, unable to perform 60° medial rotation, glenohumeral anterior translation, fatigue, the need of external feedback and external support.

Behavioral: Upper Extremity Muscle Fatigue Protocol

Good shoulder motor control

During shoulder medial rotation up to 60° in supine position, no scapula and glenohumeral compensation, easy to breathing and perform 60° medial rotation without external feedback and external support.

Behavioral: Upper Extremity Muscle Fatigue Protocol

Interventions

Upper Extremity Muscle Fatigue Protocol BEHAVIORAL

The subject performed upper extremity D2 diagonal exercise with Thera-band at kneeling position to simulate the arm movement of a volleyball spike. The movement is paced by a metronome at one beat per second, with one movement per beat. If participants could not keep up or become too fatigued, they are allowed to rest for 15 seconds before continuing. The subject was defined as fatigued, and the fatigue activity was stopped, only when all three of the following cumulative conditions were met: 1. Until the number of repetitions in that set was less than 50% of the repetitions performed in the first set. 2. Using the Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) on a 6-20 scale, until the subject's RPE was greater than or equal to 15. 3. If this maximum strength showed a decrease of 25% or more compared to the maximum strength measured before the fatigue activity.

Good shoulder motor control; Poor shoulder motor control

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 35 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)
• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

Healthy recreational volleyball players

You may qualify if:

• Between 18 and 35 years old
• At least 2 consecutive years of volleyball experience
• Involved in volleyball practice or game for at least 4 hours per week
• Able to perform a cross-body spike with 3-step

You may not qualify if:

• A history of major shoulder or spinal injury or surgery
• Experiencing shoulder pain (VAS ≥ 3/10) in the last 6 months

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University: lead

Study Sites (1)

National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University

Taipei, 112, Taiwan

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Fatigue

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Central Study Contacts

Chi-Chong Lio

CONTACT

0965101633; liochichonggg@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 17, 2025
• First Posted: July 7, 2026
• Study Start: July 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): January 1, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): January 1, 2027
• Last Updated: July 7, 2026

Record last verified: 2025-11

Locations

TW (1)