Core Strength Training, Anthropometry, and Postural Control in Youth Optimist Sailors

Core Strength Training Influences Anthropometric Profile And Postural Control In Optimist Sailors

Optimist dinghy sailing is a highly demanding youth watersport characterized by prolonged, high-intensity isometric hiking postures and rapid dynamic weight shifts required to preserve boat trim, balance, and sail power output. The core (lumbar-pelvic-hip complex) functions as the central dynamic link in transferring kinetic forces between the lower limbs and trunk during continuous open-water maneuvers. This study is designed as a 12-week randomized controlled interventional trial to evaluate the effects of a periodized, circuit-based Core Strength Training (CST) program integrated into routine Technical Sailing Training (TST) compared to TST alone. Primary endpoints evaluate adaptations in the anthropometric profile (skinfold thickness, circumferences, muscle mass percentage) and postural control parameters (Center of Pressure displacement and sway velocity measured via computerized force platform posturography) in competitive youth Optimist sailors.

Study Overview

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Conditions: Athletic Performance; Physical Fitness; Postural Control; Core Stability
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Core Strength Training (CST); Behavioral: Technical Sailing Training (TST)

Detailed Description

During upwind sailing ("hiking"), Optimist sailors suspend their torso over the windward gunwale, secured only by foot straps over their feet and ankles. This exertion demands sustained isometric contractions of the anterior core, rectus abdominis, quadriceps, and pelvic stabilisers. Inadequate core muscle endurance and deficient postural control compromise boat handling efficiency, accelerate central and peripheral fatigue, and elevate the risk of chronic lower back disorders in young athletes.

Participants will be randomly assigned (1:1 ratio) to either:

Experimental Group (CST+TST): Participating in a 12-week standardized CST program (3 sessions per week) in addition to regular Technical Sailing Training (TST).

Active Control Group (TST Alone): Participating exclusively in the standardized Technical Sailing Training (TST) program (3-4 hours per session, 3 sessions per week).

The CST program progresses systematically across four 2-week meso-blocks, transitioning from foundational bodyweight stability (Weeks 1-6) to advanced dynamic overload and multi-planar surface instability using small fitness tools (Weeks 7-12), such as fit balls, dumbbells, weight discs, resistance bands, Bosu balance trainers, TRX suspension straps, kettlebells, and ankle/wrist weights.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 40
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Anna A. Valenzano, Prof.; Phone Number: +39 347 6401054; Email: anna.valenzano@unifg.it

Study Locations

• Italy
  • FG
    • Foggia, FG, Italy, 71122
      • Outdoor Open-Water Sailing Facility & High-Performance Athletic Training Center
      • Contact: Giuseppe Cibelli, Prof.; Phone Number: +39 320 4394744; Email: giuseppe.cibelli@unifg.it

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Active competitive youth Optimist class dinghy sailors aged between 8 and 15 years.
• Minimum of 2 consecutive years of continuous competitive sailing experience registered with a recognized national sailing federation or licensed sailing club.
• Regular participation in a minimum of 3 technical sailing sessions per week.
• Valid sports medical clearance certificate authorizing participation in competitive athletic training.
• Signed written informed consent provided by parent(s) or legal guardian(s), accompanied by written informed assent from the participant.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Acute or chronic musculoskeletal injuries affecting the spine, abdominal wall, lower limbs, or upper extremities within the preceding 6 months.
• Concurrent participation in structured external core or strength training programs outside the trial protocol during the preceding 3 months.
• Neurological, vestibular, or uncorrected visual impairments affecting balance, posturography, or postural control.
• Training adherence rate below 85% of total prescribed sessions over the 12-week interventional period.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

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

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Experimental Group (CST+TST); 12-week standardized Core Strength Training (CST) program (3 sessions per week) integrated into routine Technical Sailing Training (TST).	Behavioral: Core Strength Training (CST); 12-week periodized, circuit-based core training (3 sessions/week, 8 stations, 3 sets, ~30 min/session) progressing from foundational bodyweight stability to dynamic overload and surface instability.; Behavioral: Technical Sailing Training (TST); Standardized open-water technical sailing training (3-4 hours/session, 3 sessions/week) focusing on hiking postures, boat-handling drills, tactical training, and balance optimization.
Active Comparator: Active Control Group (TST Alone); 12-week standardized Technical Sailing Training (TST) program alone (3-4 hours per session, 3 sessions per week).	Behavioral: Technical Sailing Training (TST); Standardized open-water technical sailing training (3-4 hours/session, 3 sessions/week) focusing on hiking postures, boat-handling drills, tactical training, and balance optimization.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Static Postural Control: Center of Pressure (CoP) Total Path Length Measured via Computerized Force Platform	Total length of the Center of Pressure (CoP) path (expressed in millimeters) recorded during static standing posturography testing under open-eyes and closed-eyes conditions.	Baseline (Week 0) and Post-Intervention (Week 12)
Static Postural Control: Center of Pressure (CoP) Mean Velocity Measured via Computerized Force Platform	Mean velocity of Center of Pressure (CoP) displacement (expressed in millimeters per second) recorded during static standing posturography under open-eyes and closed-eyes conditions.	Baseline (Week 0) and Post-Intervention (Week 12)
Static Postural Control: Center of Pressure (CoP) 95% Confidence Ellipse Area Measured via Computerized Force Platform	Surface area of the 95% confidence ellipse of CoP sway (expressed in square millimeters) recorded during static standing posturography.	Baseline (Week 0) and Post-Intervention (Week 12)
Dynamic Postural Control: Center of Pressure (CoP) Sway Velocity Measured via Computerized Force Platform	Center of Pressure (CoP) mean sway velocity (expressed in millimeters per second) measured during dynamic unstable platform oscillations and unipedal stance.	Baseline (Week 0) and Post-Intervention (Week 12)
Skinfold Thickness Sum Measured via Skinfold Caliper	Sum of skinfold thickness measurements (expressed in millimeters) taken at four sites: triceps, subscapular, suprailiac, and abdominal.	Baseline (Week 0) and Post-Intervention (Week 12)
Muscle Mass Percentage Measured via Anthropometric Assessment	Percentage of total body muscle mass (expressed as % of total body mass) calculated from anthropometric equations.	Baseline (Week 0) and Post-Intervention (Week 12)
Body Fat Mass Percentage Measured via Anthropometric Assessment	Percentage of total body fat mass (expressed as % of total body mass) calculated from skinfold thickness measurements.	Baseline (Week 0) and Post-Intervention (Week 12)
Waist Circumference Measured via Anthropometric Tape	Trunk abdominal waist circumference (expressed in centimeters) measured with a flexible metric tape.	Baseline (Week 0) and Post-Intervention (Week 12)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Core Muscle Endurance	McGill Protocol Battery: Flexor Endurance Test, Biering-Sørensen Extensor Test, Right & Left Side Bridge Tests measured in seconds.	Baseline (Week 0), Mid-Point (Week 6), and Post-Intervention (Week 12)
Dynamic Balance	Y-Balance Test / Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) normalized reach distances (% leg length).	Baseline (Week 0) and Post-Intervention (Week 12)

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Foggia

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): September 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): January 1, 2027

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: August 27, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 31, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): September 3, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): September 3, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 31, 2026
• Last Verified: August 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Anthropometry; Posturography; Core Strength Training; Youth Athletes; optimistic sailing; McGill Protocol
• Other Study ID Numbers: CST-OPT-2026-01

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: YES
• IPD Plan Description: De-identified individual participant data (anthropometric and posturographic parameters) will be available upon reasonable request to the corresponding author for research purposes.
• IPD Sharing Time Frame: Data will be available starting 6 months following publication for up to 3 years.
• IPD Sharing Access Criteria: Researchers whose proposed use of the data has been approved by an independent review committee.
• IPD Sharing Supporting Information Type: STUDY_PROTOCOL; SAP; ICF; ANALYTIC_CODE; CSR

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No