Posture, Proprioception, Core Stability, and Balance in Weightlifters
Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot listed
Trial typeObservational
Biological sexAll
Age18-35
SponsorIstinye University
About this trial
This study aims to examine whether the posture of the upper back (thoracic kyphosis) is related to body awareness, core stability, and balance in people who regularly participate in weightlifting. Participants will undergo assessments of thoracic posture, proprioception, core stability, and dynamic balance. The study will also compare these measurements between different groups of weightlifting athletes.
Eligibility criteria
This trial accepts healthy volunteersQualifiers
Having regularly engaged in weight training for at least 2 years
Performing resistance/weight training at least 3 days per week
Being in good general health and being able to perform activities of daily living independently
Voluntarily agreeing to participate in the study and providing written informed consent
Disqualifiers
Having a history of spinal surgery
Having a diagnosis of a structural spinal disorder
Having sustained an acute injury within the past 6 months affecting the lower extremities, spine, or upper extremities
Receiving active treatment for chronic low back, neck, or shoulder pain
Trial population
Study Population The study population will consist of healthy adults who regularly engage in resistance/weight training. Participants will be required to have at least 2 years of regular weight-training experience and to perform resistance/weight training at least 3 days per week. Eligible participants will be individuals who are in good general health, are able to independently perform activities of daily living, and have sufficient cognitive capacity to understand and perform the study procedures. Participation will be voluntary, and written informed consent will be obtained from all participants prior to their inclusion in the study. Individuals with a history of spinal surgery, structural spinal disorders, recent acute injuries affecting the lower extremities, spine, or upper extremities, or those receiving active treatment for chronic low back, neck, or shoulder pain will be excluded. Participants with neurological or vestibular disorders, as well as those using medications that
Trial design
Design model
Other
Time perspective
Cross-sectional
Treatments tested in this trial
Assessment
Other interventionAll measurements will be performed in a single assessment session. Participants will undergo a 5-minute warm-up beforehand, and 2-3 minute rest intervals will be provided between tests. The test sequence will be standardized as follows: kyphosis measurement → proprioception → core stability → dynamic balance.
Treatment groups
No treatment groups listed
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
1
Thoracic Kyphosis Angle
Thoracic kyphosis will be assessed using a flexible ruler (Flexicurve). With participants standing in a neutral posture, the spinous processes of C7 and T12 will be identified by palpation. The flexible ruler will be moulded to the thoracic spinal contour, and the resulting curve will be traced onto graph paper. Thoracic kyphosis angle will be calculated using a standardized geometric method and expressed in degrees. Higher values indicate greater thoracic kyphosis.
Time frame
4 weeks2
Lumbar Joint Position Sense-Flexion Repositioning Error
Lumbar joint position sense will be assessed using an active repositioning task. The examiner will passively position the participant at 30° of lumbar flexion and maintain this position for 5 seconds. After returning to neutral, the participant will close their eyes and actively reproduce the target position. The reproduced angle will be measured using a goniometer. Absolute repositioning error will be calculated as the absolute difference between the target and reproduced angles. The mean error across 3 trials will be expressed in degrees. Lower values indicate more accurate position reproduction.
Time frame
4 weeks3
Lumbar Joint Position Sense-Extension Repositioning Error
The examiner will passively position the participant at 20° of lumbar extension and maintain this position for 5 seconds. After returning to neutral, the participant will close their eyes and actively reproduce the target position. The reproduced angle will be measured using a goniometer. Absolute repositioning error will be calculated as the absolute difference between the target and reproduced angles. The mean error across 3 trials will be expressed in degrees. Lower values indicate more accurate position reproduction.
Time frame
4 weeks4
Shoulder Joint Position Sense-Abduction Repositioning Error
Shoulder joint position sense will be assessed separately for the dominant and nondominant sides. The examiner will passively position the arm at 75° of shoulder abduction and maintain this position for 5 seconds. After returning the arm to neutral, the participant will close their eyes and actively reproduce the target angle. The reproduced angle will be measured using a goniometer. Absolute repositioning error will be calculated as the absolute difference between the target and reproduced angles. The mean error across 3 trials will be expressed in degrees for each shoulder separately. Lower values indicate more accurate position reproduction.
Time frame
4 weeksSponsors and contacts
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Source ClinicalTrials.gov