Effect of Reactive Balance Training Versus Conventional Balance Training on Dynamic Stability and Change-of-Direction Performance in Competitive Tennis Players

May 12, 2026 updated by: Hafsah Gul Khattak, Ibadat International University, Islamabad
This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effectiveness of reactive balance training versus conventional balance training on dynamic stability and change of direction performance. Participants will be randomly allocated into two groups. Each group will receive its respective intervention over a 6-week period. Outcome measures, including dynamic stability assessed by the Y-Balance Test and change-of-direction performance measured using the 505 Agility Test, will be evaluated at baseline and after the intervention. The study is designed to determine which training approach is more effective in improving balance and functional performance.

Study Overview

Status

Recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

This study is a randomized controlled trial comparing two balance training interventions in competitive tennis players. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a reactive balance training group or a conventional balance training group. Both groups will undergo a supervised training program for 6 weeks, with three sessions per week. Each session will include a warm-up, a structured balance training program, and a cool-down phase. The reactive balance training group will perform exercises involving external perturbations, unpredictable stimuli, and sport-specific reactive movements such as sudden directional changes, partner-induced disturbances, and dual-task activities. The conventional balance training group will perform static and controlled balance exercises, including single-leg stance, balance board activities, and slow, predictable movements without external perturbations. Training intensity and duration will be standardized across both groups. Pre- and post-intervention assessments will be conducted to evaluate changes in dynamic stability and change-of-direction performance.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

64

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

  • Name: Laiba Zia Laiba Zia, DPT, MSPT (SPORTS)
  • Phone Number: +92923125299816
  • Email: zialaiba0@gmail.com

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Male and female competitive tennis players aged 18-25 years.
  • Minimum 2 years of regular tennis training experience.
  • Currently training at least 3 sessions per week (minimum 60 minutes per session).

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Recent injury (last 3 months)
  • Neurological, balance or vestibular disorders
  • Previous surgery
  • Participation in any structured balance, neuromuscular, plyometric, or agility training program outside regular tennis practice during the study period.
  • Use of ankle/knee braces or orthotic devices that may influence balance performance.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Reactive balance training
Participants in this group will receive a structured reactive balance training program focusing on unpredictable, perturbation-based exercises to enhance neuromuscular control and dynamic stability. The intervention will include single-leg stance with manual perturbations, reactive stepping, sudden directional changes in response to verbal or visual cues, resistance band perturbations, and tennis-specific reactive movements. Exercises will be progressively advanced by increasing instability, speed of response, and dual-task demands.
Other: Experimental group : Reactive Balance Training
Participants will receive a structured reactive balance training program based on unpredictable perturbation-based exercises requiring rapid postural correction. The intervention will be conducted for 6 weeks (3 sessions/week) and will follow a progressive protocol.
Active Comparator: Conventional Balance Training
Participants in this group will receive a structured conventional balance training program focusing on static and controlled balance exercises without external perturbations.
Other: Active comparator ( Conventional Balance Training)
Participants will receive a structured conventional balance training program based on static and controlled exercises without external perturbation, conducted for 6 weeks (3 sessions/week).

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Dynamic Stability
Time Frame: Baseline (Pre-intervention) and after 6 weeks (Post-intervention)
Dynamic stability will be assessed using the Y-Balance Test (Lower Quarter), which measures reach distance in anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral directions. The composite score (normalized to limb length) will be used to evaluate postural control and balance performance.
Baseline (Pre-intervention) and after 6 weeks (Post-intervention)
Change of Direction Performance
Time Frame: Baseline (Pre-intervention) and after 6 weeks (Post-intervention)
Change-of-direction ability will be assessed using the 505 Agility Test, which measures the time (in seconds) required to accelerate, change direction (180° turn), and return over a set distance. Lower time indicates better performance.
Baseline (Pre-intervention) and after 6 weeks (Post-intervention)

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Ibadat International University, Islamabad

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Hafsah Gul Khattak, DPT, MSNMPT, Ibadat International University, Islamabad (Iiui)

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

May 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

July 1, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

July 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

May 6, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 12, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

May 15, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

May 15, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 12, 2026

Last Verified

April 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Other Study ID Numbers

  • IIUI/RERC/ADT/2026/04/284

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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