Comparative Effects of Dolphin Kick Streamline Training Versus Flutter Kick Training on Core Stability and Sprint Performance in Competitive Swimmers

This randomized controlled trial will compare the effects of dolphin kick streamline training versus flutter kick training on core stability and sprint performance in competitive swimmers. Both groups will receive the same land-based core conditioning program in addition to their assigned aquatic kicking training. Core stability and sprint performance will be assessed at baseline, Week 4, and Week 8 to determine whether either training approach produces greater improvements in competitive swimming performance.

Study Overview

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Conditions: Sports Physical Therapy
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Dolphin Kick Streamline Training; Behavioral: Flutter Kick Training

Detailed Description

This randomized controlled trial will evaluate and compare the effects of dolphin kick streamline training and flutter kick training on core stability and sprint performance in competitive swimmers. Participants will be randomly allocated to one of the two aquatic training groups. Both groups will receive an identical land-based core conditioning program to control for general core-strength adaptations. The intervention will be conducted over eight weeks, with outcome assessments performed at baseline (Week 0), Week 4, and Week 8. The study aims to determine whether dolphin kick streamline training or flutter kick training produces greater improvements in core stability and short-distance sprint swimming performance.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 30
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Zobia Naseem, MS; Phone Number: +923321963584; Email: zobia.naeem@riphah.edu.pk
• Study Contact Backup: Name: suman sheraz, Phd; Phone Number: +92335646361; Email: suman.sheraz@riphah.edu.pk

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

**Inclusion Criteria:**

• Minimum 2 years of competitive swimming experience.
• Active participation in regular swimming training at the time of enrollment.
• Medically fit and cleared for physical activity.

**Exclusion Criteria:**

• History of musculoskeletal injury within the preceding 3 months.
• Diagnosed neurological or cardiopulmonary condition.
• Current participation in any structured core training program outside the study.
• Inability to safely perform aquatic or land-based exercises.
• Absence from more than two consecutive training sessions during the intervention period.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Dolphin Kick Streamline Training; Healthy male competitive swimmers aged 16-30 years with a minimum of 2 years of competitive swimming experience will be allocated to the experimental group. Participants will undergo an 8-week progressive dolphin kick streamline training protocol. Assessments will be performed at Week 0 (baseline), Week 4 (mid-assessment), and Week 8 (final assessment). The training program progresses from basic body undulation and flutter-to-dolphin transition to kickboard and underwater dolphin kick sets, race-pace butterfly training, sprint intervals, technique refinement, and race simulation. Participants will also receive an identical land-based core conditioning program consisting of forearm plank, side plank, bird-dog, and dead bug exercises throughout the 8-week study period.	Behavioral: Dolphin Kick Streamline Training; An 8-week progressive dolphin kick streamline training program for healthy male competitive swimmers aged 16-30 years with a minimum of 2 years of competitive swimming experience. Training frequency progresses from 3 sessions per week during Weeks 1-2 to 5 sessions per week during Weeks 6-8, with session duration progressively increasing. The training progresses from basic body undulation and flutter-to-dolphin transition to kickboard and underwater dolphin kick sets, race-pace butterfly training, sprint intervals, technique refinement, and race simulation. Participants also receive an identical land-based core conditioning program consisting of forearm plank, side plank, bird-dog, and dead bug exercises throughout the 8-week study period.
Active Comparator: Flutter Kick Training; Healthy male competitive swimmers aged 16-30 years with a minimum of 2 years of competitive swimming experience will be allocated to the active comparator group. Participants will undergo an 8-week progressive flutter kick training protocol with 2 sessions per week. Training intensity and exercise duration will progress across the 8 weeks, with medicine-ball resistance introduced during Weeks 7-8. Assessments will be performed at Week 0 (baseline), Week 4 (mid-assessment), and Week 8 (final assessment). Participants will also receive an identical land-based core conditioning program consisting of forearm plank, side plank, bird-dog, and dead bug exercises throughout the 8-week study period.	Behavioral: Flutter Kick Training; An 8-week progressive flutter kick training program for healthy male competitive swimmers aged 16-30 years with a minimum of 2 years of competitive swimming experience. Training is conducted 2 times per week. Weeks 1-2 consist of low-intensity training, Weeks 3-4 low-moderate intensity, Weeks 5-6 moderate intensity, Week 7 moderate-high intensity, and Week 8 high-intensity training. Exercise duration, rest intervals, and resistance are progressively modified, with light medicine-ball resistance introduced during Weeks 7-8. Participants also receive an identical land-based core conditioning program consisting of forearm plank, side plank, bird-dog, and dead bug exercises throughout the 8-week study period.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Horizontal Streamline Hold Test	Time (seconds) that the swimmer can maintain a rigid horizontal streamline position in the water, used to assess aquatic core stability.	Week 0, Week 4, Week 8

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
15 m Freestyle Sprint Test	Time (seconds) required to complete a 15-meter freestyle sprint from a push-off start. The best performance from two trials will be recorded.	Week 0, Week 4, Week 8
25 m Freestyle Sprint Test	Time (seconds) required to complete a 25-meter freestyle sprint, used to assess sprint swimming performance and sustained swimming speed. The best performance from two trials will be recorded.	Week 0, Week 4, Week 8

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Riphah International University
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Zobia Naseem, MS-SPT, Riphah International University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): September 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): November 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): February 1, 2027

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: September 6, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 6, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): September 11, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): September 11, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 6, 2026
• Last Verified: September 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Core Stability; Sprint Performance; Competitive Swimming; Swimming Performance; Dolphin Kick; Flutter Kick; Aquatic Training
• Other Study ID Numbers: Aneesa Abid

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