Shoulder Pain, Core Endurance, and Scapular Control in Adolescent Volleyball Players

July 18, 2026 updated by: Görkem Açar, Istanbul Gelisim University

Investigation of the Relationship Between Shoulder Pain, Core Endurance, and Scapular Control in Adolescent Volleyball Players: A Cross-Sectional Study

Shoulder pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal problems in adolescent volleyball players because of repetitive overhead activities such as serving and spiking. Although impaired scapular control and reduced core endurance have been suggested as potential contributors to shoulder pain, their combined relationship has not been sufficiently investigated in young volleyball athletes.

This observational cross-sectional study aims to examine the relationship between shoulder pain, core endurance, and scapular control in licensed adolescent volleyball players aged 14 to 18 years. Participants with and without shoulder pain will undergo standardized assessments, including the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain intensity, the Scapular Dyskinesis Test for scapular control, and the McGill Core Endurance Test Battery for trunk muscle endurance. The findings are expected to improve the understanding of factors associated with shoulder pain and contribute to the development of injury prevention and rehabilitation strategies for adolescent volleyball players.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Actual)

60

Contacts and Locations

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

Study Locations

  • Turkey (Türkiye)
    • Istanbul
      • Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye), 34310
        • Istanbul Gelisim University

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

  • Child
  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Licensed female adolescent volleyball players aged 14-18 years who were actively participating in volleyball training at Nevşehir Youth and Sports Center and met the study eligibility criteria.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Female licensed volleyball players aged 14 to 18 years.
  • Participation in regular volleyball training at least three times per week.
  • Dominant upper extremity identified.
  • Ability to understand the study procedures and provide informed assent.
  • Written informed consent provided by a parent or legal guardian for participants younger than 18 years.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Shoulder surgery within the previous 6 months.
  • Acute upper extremity or spinal injury.
  • History of fracture affecting the upper extremity or spine.
  • Neurological disorders affecting upper extremity function.
  • Systemic rheumatologic disease.

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

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Intervention / Treatment
Shoulder Pain Group
Licensed adolescent volleyball players aged 14-18 years with shoulder pain. Participants underwent assessment of shoulder pain intensity using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), scapular control using the Scapular Dyskinesis Test, and core muscle endurance using the McGill Core Endurance Test Battery.
Diagnostic test: Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
Assessment of shoulder pain intensity using a 10-cm Visual Analog Scale.
Diagnostic test: Scapular Dyskinesis Test
Clinical assessment of scapular movement and control during repeated arm elevation.
Diagnostic test: McGill Core Endurance Test Battery
Assessment of trunk muscle endurance using flexor, extensor, and lateral bridge endurance tests.
Control Group
Licensed adolescent volleyball players aged 14-18 years without shoulder pain. Participants underwent the same standardized assessments, including the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Scapular Dyskinesis Test, and McGill Core Endurance Test Battery.
Diagnostic test: Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
Assessment of shoulder pain intensity using a 10-cm Visual Analog Scale.
Diagnostic test: Scapular Dyskinesis Test
Clinical assessment of scapular movement and control during repeated arm elevation.
Diagnostic test: McGill Core Endurance Test Battery
Assessment of trunk muscle endurance using flexor, extensor, and lateral bridge endurance tests.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Core Muscle Endurance
Time Frame: Baseline (Single assessment, Day 1)
Core muscle endurance will be assessed using the McGill Core Endurance Test Battery, including trunk flexor, extensor, and bilateral side bridge endurance tests. Endurance time will be recorded in seconds.
Baseline (Single assessment, Day 1)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Scapular Control
Time Frame: Baseline (Single assessment, Day 1)
Scapular control will be evaluated using the Scapular Dyskinesis Test. The presence or absence of scapular dyskinesis will be recorded during repeated arm elevation.
Baseline (Single assessment, Day 1)
Shoulder Pain Intensity
Time Frame: Baseline (Single assessment, Day 1)
Shoulder pain intensity will be assessed using the 10-cm Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Scores range from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain).
Baseline (Single assessment, Day 1)

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

Istanbul Gelisim University

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 (Actual)

March 15, 2026

Primary Completion (Actual)

June 20, 2026

Study Completion (Actual)

June 25, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

July 18, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

July 18, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

July 22, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

July 22, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

July 18, 2026

Last Verified

July 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • NVS-SHOULDER-2026-01

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.

Clinical Trials on Shoulder Pain

Clinical Trials on Visual Analog Scale (VAS)

Search Similar Trials

Sponsors and Collaborators

Medical Conditions

Drug Interventions

CROs by country

CROs in Italy

Conditions

Rare Diseases

Drug Interventions

Dietary Supplements

Sponsor/Collaborators

Locations

Subscribe