Functional Training in Adolescent Table Tennis Players
Conditions
Keywords
Functional Training, Table Tennis, Adolescents, Physical Performance, Agility, Balance, Speed, Functional Movement Screen, Vertical Jump, Multi-Joint Exercises
Brief summary
This randomized controlled trial aims to investigate the effects of an eight-week functional training program on physical performance parameters in adolescent table tennis players. Functional training involves multi-joint and multi-plane exercises designed to improve movement quality, strength, balance, and coordination. Thirty adolescent table tennis players will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: Functional Training, Conventional Training, or Control (routine training). The Functional Training group will perform a structured functional exercise program in addition to regular table tennis training, while the Conventional Training group will continue standard training routines. The Control group will maintain regular practice only. Physical performance variables including flexibility, agility, speed, vertical jump performance, functional movement patterns, and balance will be assessed before, during, and after the intervention period.
Detailed description
This study is designed as a randomized controlled trial to examine the effects of an eight-week functional training program on physical performance in adolescent table tennis players. Functional training focuses on multi-joint, multi-planar exercises aimed at improving movement efficiency, balance, strength, and neuromuscular coordination. Thirty adolescent table tennis players aged 12-16 years with at least three years of training experience will be recruited and randomly allocated to one of three groups: Functional Training, Conventional Training, or Control. The Functional Training group will perform a structured exercise program consisting of dynamic, whole-body movements designed to enhance agility, balance, speed, and movement quality. Training sessions will be conducted three times per week for eight weeks in addition to regular table tennis practice. The Conventional Training group will continue standard technical and tactical training without additional functional exercises. The Control group will maintain routine training only. Outcome measures will be collected at baseline, mid-intervention, and post-intervention. Assessments will include flexibility, agility, sprint speed, vertical jump performance, Functional Movement Screen scores, and static and dynamic balance measures. Outcome measures will be collected at baseline, mid-intervention, and post-intervention.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALFunctional Training
Eight-week functional training program focusing on flexibility, agility, speed, balance, and movement quality. Training is performed three times per week alongside regular table tennis practice.
BEHAVIORALConventional Training
Standard table tennis training performed three times per week for eight weeks without additional functional exercises.
Sponsors
Alirıza Han Civan
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Masking description
No masking was applied in this study. Participants, investigators, and outcome assessors were aware of group assignments.
Intervention model description
This study is a randomized controlled trial evaluating the effects of functional training on physical performance in adolescent table tennis players. Participants are randomly allocated to one of three groups: Functional Training, Conventional Training, or Control. Measurements are taken at pre-test, mid-test, and post-test timepoints.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
MALE
Age
14 Years to 18 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Male and female adolescent table tennis players aged 12-18 years. * Actively training and competing in table tennis for at least 2 years. * Participating in at least 3 training sessions per week. * Free from injury or medical conditions affecting physical performance. * Voluntarily consent to participate in the study (parental consent required for minors).
Exclusion criteria
* Any musculoskeletal injury, neurological disorder, or medical condition affecting training or performance. * Participation in another structured training program during the study period. * Non-compliance with study protocol or inability to attend scheduled sessions.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Physical Performance Score | Baseline (pre-test), mid-intervention (week 4), and post-intervention (week 8) | Overall physical performance will be assessed using a battery of standardized physical performance tests including flexibility, agility, speed, vertical jump height, balance, and Functional Movement Screen (FMS). Flexibility: Sit-and-Reach Test (cm; higher values indicate better flexibility) Agility: T-test (seconds; lower values indicate better performance) Speed: 10-meter sprint test (seconds; lower values indicate better performance) Vertical Jump: Countermovement jump height (cm; higher values indicate better performance) Balance: Static and dynamic balance tests (test-specific scoring; higher scores indicate better balance) Functional Movement Screen (FMS): Composite score ranging from 0 to 21, with higher scores indicating better movement quality |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Flexibility (Sit-and-Reach Test) | Baseline (pre-test), mid-intervention (week 4), and post-intervention (week 8) | Flexibility will be assessed using a sit-and-reach test that measures the flexibility of the hamstring and lower back muscles. Measurement: Sit-and-reach Test Unit: centimeters (cm) Range: Typically 0-50 cm Direction: Higher scores indicate better flexibility |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Contacts
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORAlirıza Han Civan, Dr
Karabük Üniversitesi Hasan Doğan Spor Bilimleri Fakültesi Spor Yöneticiliği Bölümü
Outcome results
None listed