Amputation, Paralympic Athletes, Sport
Conditions
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.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALIsometric Core Training
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.
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.
Sponsors
Istanbul Gelisim University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
14 Years to 20 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* 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
Exclusion criteria
* 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
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 50-m Freestyle Swimming Performance | Baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention | Official 50-m freestyle race time measured using FINA-approved electronic timing equipment during national Para-swimming competitions. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 20-second Sit-up Performance | Baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention | Number of correctly completed sit-up repetitions performed within 20 seconds to assess trunk flexor endurance. |
| 20-second Reverse Sit-up Performance | Baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention | Number of correctly completed reverse sit-up repetitions performed within 20 seconds to assess trunk extensor endurance. |
| Supine Bent-knee Leg Hold Duration | Baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention | Duration in seconds that participants maintained the supine bent-knee leg hold position to assess lumbopelvic endurance. |
| Prone Trunk-extension Hold Duration | Baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention | Duration in seconds that participants maintained the prone trunk-extension hold position to assess trunk extensor endurance. |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Outcome results
None listed