Posture, Proprioception, Core Stability, and Balance in Weightlifters
Investigation of the Relationship Between Thoracic Kyphosis Angle, Proprioceptive Sensitivity, Core Stability, and Dynamic Balance in Weightlifting Athletes: A Cross-Sectional and Comparative Study
This study aims to examine whether the posture of the upper back (thoracic kyphosis) is related to body awareness, core stability, and balance in people who regularly participate in weightlifting. Participants will undergo assessments of thoracic posture, proprioception, core stability, and dynamic balance. The study will also compare these measurements between different groups of weightlifting athletes.
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Intervenção / Tratamento
Descrição detalhada
Weight training is a form of exercise that places high mechanical loads on the musculoskeletal system and particularly affects spinal biomechanics. Prolonged and repetitive loading may lead to postural adaptations and changes in spinal alignment. In particular, increases in the thoracic kyphosis angle have been reported to have important effects on spinal stability, muscle activation patterns, and neuromuscular control.
An increase in thoracic kyphosis is not only a structural postural change but may also represent a functional condition that can affect the efficiency of the proprioceptive system. Proprioception, including joint position sense and movement control, is a fundamental component of motor control and plays a critical role in movement performance and injury risk. Changes in spinal posture may affect proprioceptive feedback mechanisms and potentially lead to impaired movement control.
In addition, core stability is considered an important biomechanical component for the distribution of spinal loads, force transfer to the extremities, and postural control. Insufficient activation of the core musculature or impaired neuromuscular control may contribute to decreased physical performance and an increased risk of injury.
Dynamic balance is also an important determinant of athletic performance and is closely related to proprioceptive function and core stabilization mechanisms. Functional tests involving lower-extremity and trunk control can be used to assess neuromuscular control and its functional manifestation in athletes.
However, the available literature suggests that studies comprehensively investigating the relationship between thoracic kyphosis angle, proprioceptive sensitivity, core stability, and dynamic balance in weight-training athletes are limited. Existing studies have generally examined these variables individually, while research addressing the relationship between posture, neuromuscular control, and functional performance as an integrated framework remains limited.
Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between thoracic kyphosis angle and proprioceptive sensitivity, core stability, and dynamic balance in weight-training athletes, and to compare these parameters among individuals with different levels of thoracic kyphosis. The findings are expected to contribute to understanding the potential association between postural changes and functional performance and may provide information relevant to injury-prevention strategies in athletes.
Objectives:
- To investigate the relationships between thoracic kyphosis angle and proprioceptive sensitivity, core stability, and dynamic balance in weight-training athletes.
- To compare proprioceptive sensitivity, core stability, and dynamic balance among groups categorized according to thoracic kyphosis angle.
- To investigate the potential associations between thoracic postural changes, neuromuscular control, and functional performance, and to evaluate their potential clinical relevance to injury risk and athletic performance.
Tipo de estudo
Inscrição (Estimado)
Contactos e Locais
Contato de estudo
- Nome: Kubra Kardeş, Asst. Prof.
- Número de telefone: 05387115631
- E-mail: kubra.koce@istinye.edu.tr
Estude backup de contato
- Nome: Aly Ibrahim Fathalla, Master's
- Número de telefone: +90 545 454 24 53
- E-mail: alyibrahimfathallah@gmail.com
Locais de estudo
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Zeytinburnu
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Istanbul, Zeytinburnu, Turquia (Türkiye), 34025
- Recrutamento
- Istinye university
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Contato:
- Istinye university
- Número de telefone: 08502836000
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Critérios de participação
Critérios de elegibilidade
Idades elegíveis para estudo
Aceita Voluntários Saudáveis
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Método de amostragem
População do estudo
Study Population The study population will consist of healthy adults who regularly engage in resistance/weight training. Participants will be required to have at least 2 years of regular weight-training experience and to perform resistance/weight training at least 3 days per week. Eligible participants will be individuals who are in good general health, are able to independently perform activities of daily living, and have sufficient cognitive capacity to understand and perform the study procedures. Participation will be voluntary, and written informed consent will be obtained from all participants prior to their inclusion in the study.
Individuals with a history of spinal surgery, structural spinal disorders, recent acute injuries affecting the lower extremities, spine, or upper extremities, or those receiving active treatment for chronic low back, neck, or shoulder pain will be excluded. Participants with neurological or vestibular disorders, as well as those using medications that
Descrição
Inclusion Criteria:
- Having regularly engaged in weight training for at least 2 years
- Performing resistance/weight training at least 3 days per week
- Being in good general health and being able to perform activities of daily living independently
- Voluntarily agreeing to participate in the study and providing written informed consent
- Having the cognitive ability to understand and perform the test protocol
Exclusion Criteria:
- Having a history of spinal surgery
- Having a diagnosis of a structural spinal disorder
- Having sustained an acute injury within the past 6 months affecting the lower extremities, spine, or upper extremities
- Receiving active treatment for chronic low back, neck, or shoulder pain
- Having neurological disorders (e.g., peripheral neuropathy, cerebellar disorders, etc.)
- Having vestibular system disorders
- Using medications that may affect proprioception or balance
Plano de estudo
Como o estudo é projetado?
Detalhes do projeto
- Modelos de observação: OTHER
- Perspectivas de Tempo: CROSS_SECTIONAL
O que o estudo está medindo?
Medidas de resultados primários
Medida de resultado |
Descrição da medida |
Prazo |
|---|---|---|
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Thoracic Kyphosis Angle
Prazo: 4 weeks
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Thoracic kyphosis will be assessed using a flexible ruler (Flexicurve). With participants standing in a neutral posture, the spinous processes of C7 and T12 will be identified by palpation. The flexible ruler will be moulded to the thoracic spinal contour, and the resulting curve will be traced onto graph paper. Thoracic kyphosis angle will be calculated using a standardized geometric method and expressed in degrees. Higher values indicate greater thoracic kyphosis. |
4 weeks
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Lumbar Joint Position Sense-Flexion Repositioning Error
Prazo: 4 weeks
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Lumbar joint position sense will be assessed using an active repositioning task. The examiner will passively position the participant at 30° of lumbar flexion and maintain this position for 5 seconds. After returning to neutral, the participant will close their eyes and actively reproduce the target position. The reproduced angle will be measured using a goniometer. Absolute repositioning error will be calculated as the absolute difference between the target and reproduced angles. The mean error across 3 trials will be expressed in degrees. Lower values indicate more accurate position reproduction. |
4 weeks
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Lumbar Joint Position Sense-Extension Repositioning Error
Prazo: 4 weeks
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The examiner will passively position the participant at 20° of lumbar extension and maintain this position for 5 seconds. After returning to neutral, the participant will close their eyes and actively reproduce the target position. The reproduced angle will be measured using a goniometer. Absolute repositioning error will be calculated as the absolute difference between the target and reproduced angles. The mean error across 3 trials will be expressed in degrees. Lower values indicate more accurate position reproduction. |
4 weeks
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Shoulder Joint Position Sense-Abduction Repositioning Error
Prazo: 4 weeks
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Shoulder joint position sense will be assessed separately for the dominant and nondominant sides. The examiner will passively position the arm at 75° of shoulder abduction and maintain this position for 5 seconds. After returning the arm to neutral, the participant will close their eyes and actively reproduce the target angle. The reproduced angle will be measured using a goniometer. Absolute repositioning error will be calculated as the absolute difference between the target and reproduced angles. The mean error across 3 trials will be expressed in degrees for each shoulder separately. Lower values indicate more accurate position reproduction. |
4 weeks
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Trunk Flexor Muscle Endurance
Prazo: 4 weeks
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Trunk flexor endurance will be assessed using the McGill trunk flexor endurance test. Participants will assume a supported seated position with the hips and knees flexed to 90° and the arms crossed over the chest. After the back support is removed, participants will maintain the prescribed trunk position for as long as possible. The test will end when the required position can no longer be maintained. Holding time will be recorded in seconds. Longer durations indicate greater trunk flexor endurance. |
4 weeks
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Trunk Extensor Muscle Endurance
Prazo: 4 weeks
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Trunk extensor endurance will be assessed using the Biering-Sørensen test. Participants will lie prone with the lower body secured to the examination table and the upper trunk unsupported beyond the table edge. With the arms crossed over the chest, participants will maintain the trunk in a horizontal position for as long as possible. The test will end when the required position can no longer be maintained. Holding time will be recorded in seconds. Longer durations indicate greater trunk extensor endurance. |
4 weeks
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Lateral Trunk Muscle Endurance
Prazo: 4 weeks
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Lateral trunk endurance will be assessed separately on the right and left sides using the side bridge test. Participants will support their body on the forearm, with the elbow beneath the shoulder and the feet stacked, while maintaining a straight body alignment. The test will end when the required position can no longer be maintained. Holding time will be recorded in seconds for each side separately. Longer durations indicate greater lateral trunk endurance. |
4 weeks
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Lower-Extremity Dynamic Balance
Prazo: 4 weeks
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Dynamic balance will be assessed using the Y Balance Test. While maintaining single-leg stance, participants will reach as far as possible with the opposite leg in the anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral directions. Reach distances will be recorded and normalized to the length of the stance limb, calculated as reach distance divided by limb length and multiplied by 100. Normalized reach distances will be expressed as percentages. Higher values indicate greater reach performance during the balance task. |
4 weeks
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Outros números de identificação do estudo
- 2026/125
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