Shoulder PainNCT07289893
Investigation of the Effects of Kettlebell Training
A study testing Kettlebell Exercise and Standard Exercise in people with Shoulder Pain and Rotator Cuff Injuries, run by Hacettepe University at 2 sites in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
Kettlebell exercises are seen as one of the approaches that can be used conservatively in individuals with shoulder pain. However, it is still unknown what results it has on its therapeutic effects. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 35 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Shoulder Pain, Rotator Cuff Injuries
- What is being tested?
- Kettlebell Exercise and Standard Exercise
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 38 participants
- Where
- 2 sitesTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 25 Nov 2024to 1 Apr 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 35 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Individuals who are willing to participate and have been doing licensed/unlicensed amateur or professional sports for at least 3 years,
- Individuals with Tegner Activity Scale ≥ 5,
- A history of shoulder pain of at least 6 weeks,
- At least 3 points measured using the 0 to 10 point Numerical Pain Scale (NPS),
- Shoulder pain that worsens with resisted shoulder flexion, abduction or external rotation,
- Rotator cuff tendinopathies,
- Tears smaller than 1 cm,
- Secondary shoulder instability without major trauma (due to rotator cuff muscle weakness, etc.)
Who cannot join
- History of fracture and/or surgery in the shoulder area,
- Adhesive capsulitis,
- Those with passive joint range of motion deficit,
- Individuals with a positive Apprehension Test and/or Sulcus Sign test and multidirectional shoulder instability,
- Numbness or tingling in the upper extremity with cervical compression test or upper extremity compression test,
- Systemic or neurological disease,
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- Corticosteroid injection within 3 months before the intervention,
- Physical therapy in the 6 months before the intervention,
- Those with a history of dislocation and subluxation,
- Those who are pregnant,
- Those who did not participate in the study for 2 consecutive sessions
Trial locations and contacts
2 sites in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Turkey (Türkiye)2 sites, 2 recruiting
- Not yet recruiting
Hacettepe University
Ankara
Çağdaş Işıklar, +905439638565, cagdasisiklar@gmail.com
Elif Turgut
- Recruiting
Fenerbahce University
Istanbul
Prof Sener, +902169101907, goksel.sener@fbu.edu.tr
About this study
Official title: Investigation of the Effects of Kettlebell Training on Pain, Function and Performance in Rotator Cuff-Related Shoulder Pain; Randomized Controlled Trial.
Kettlebell exercises are seen as one of the approaches that can be used conservatively in individuals with shoulder pain. However, it is still unknown what results it has on its therapeutic effects. These findings highlight the need for higher quality studies evaluating the effects of kettlebell use and exercises for shoulder pain. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 8 weeks of kettlebell training on shoulder pain, function, and performance.
The hypotheses of our study are as follows:
- H1: In individuals with Rotator Cuff-Related Shoulder Pain, the improvement in shoulder-related pain perception is greater with Kettlebell training compared to the standard rehabilitation program.
- H2: In individuals with Rotator Cuff Related Shoulder Pain, shoulder function improvement is greater with Kettlebell training compared to the standard rehabilitation program.
- H3: In individuals with Rotator Cuff-Related Shoulder Pain, shoulder performance improvement is greater with Kettlebell training than with the standard rehabilitation program.
- Conditions
- Shoulder Pain, Rotator Cuff Injuries
- Being tested
- Kettlebell Exercise, Standard Exercise
- Keywords
- Kettlebell Exercises
- Medical subject headings
- Shoulder Pain, Rotator Cuff Injuries
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Kettlebell ExerciseOther
8-week Kettlebell Exercises compare with 8-week Standard Rehabilitation Program
Standard ExerciseOther
8-week Standard Rehabilitation Program compare with 8-week Kettlebell Exercises
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise Group | Experimental | Kettlebell Exercise Group Receives: Other: Kettlebell Exercise |
| Control Group | Active comparator | Standard Rehabilitation Group Receives: Other: Standard Exercise |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI)
It is a self-report questionnaire that measures pain and disability in the shoulder. It consists of 13 items in 2 subscales: pain (5 items) and disability (8 items). Items for both subscales are measured with visual analog scales ranging from 0 (no pain or difficulty) to 10 (worst pain imaginable or difficult enough to require assistance).
Measured: 0th and 8th Week
Seated Single-Arm Shot-Put Test
Participants are placed in a position that does not restrict arm movement on the test side. In this position, they are instructed to hold a 3 kg ball in their hands at shoulder level with pain. Thus, from this initial positioning the participant pushes the ball as far as possible without noticing any compensation with the body. The evaluator administers the test independently and requests 3 applications at the participant's maximum capacity, with verbal stimulation and 1 minute rest between repetitions, and the average of these 3 applications is calculated.
Measured: 0th and 8th Week
Upper Extremity Y Balance Test
For testing; The mechanism is established by combining 1.5 meter (m) lines in the medial, inferolateral and superolateral directions at appropriate angles. For the test, participants are asked to come into a push-up position and reach in all three directions with their free hands. Maximum reach distance will be recorded in centimeters (cm). In order to normalize the reach distances according to the limb length, the maximum values in each direction are summed, divided by 3 times the limb length and multiplied by 100.
Measured: 0th and 8th Week
Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test
Individuals will be positioned in a push-up position with their bodies aligned in a straight line when viewed from the side, with a distance of 90 cm between their hands. Athletes will be asked to touch the dominant hand to the dorsum of the other hand within 15 seconds, and the total number of repetitions is recorded. The tests are repeated three times with a 45-second rest between tests and the average of the results is recorded.
Measured: 0th and 8th Week
Evaluation of Shoulder Isometric Muscle Strength
Values resulting from isometric contraction will be recorded in kg. Muscle strength measurements will be evaluated bilaterally, in three repetitions, for 5 seconds. The average value of the triplicate results obtained will be recorded.
Measured: 0th and 8th Week
Evaluation of Hand Grip Strength
Measurements were made while the individuals were standing, with the elbow and wrist in full extension. Measurements are repeated three times at 5-second intervals on the dominant and non-dominant hands (first right, then left and right again, etc.) and recorded in kilograms, and then their average is taken.
Measured: 0th and 8th Week
Secondary outcomes (1)
Global Rating of Change (GROC)
This scale is a frequently used scale for the evaluation of clinical research in the musculoskeletal field. It is used to determine the improvement or deterioration of patients over a specified period of time. On the numerical scale, one represents "my pain has decreased a lot in a good way," while seven means "my pain has increased a lot in a bad way," and people report changes in pain compared to baseline.
Measured: 0th and 8th Week
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted17 Dec 2025
- Study start25 Nov 2024
- Primary completion31 Dec 2025 (estimated)
- Study completion1 Apr 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Shoulder PainStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Hacettepe UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Quadruple blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 38 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Hacettepe University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Elif Turgut, Hacettepe University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07289893
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 30.01.2024
- Status last verified
- Dec 2025
- First submitted
- 4 Dec 2025
- Last updated
- 17 Dec 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 17 Dec 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Investigation of the Effects of Kettlebell Training on Pain, Function and Performance in Rotator Cuff-Related Shoulder Pain; Randomized Controlled Trial.
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07289893
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 30.01.2024
- Conditions
- Shoulder Pain, Rotator Cuff Injuries
- Keywords
- Kettlebell Exercises
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 38 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Hacettepe UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 25 Nov 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 31 Dec 2025 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 1 Apr 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 17 Dec 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Kettlebell exercises are seen as one of the approaches that can be used conservatively in individuals with shoulder pain. However, it is still unknown what results it has on its therapeutic effects. These findings highlight the need for higher quality studies evaluating the effects of kettlebell use and exercises for shoulder pain. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 8 weeks of kettlebell training on shoulder pain, function, and performance.
The hypotheses of our study are as follows:
- H1: In individuals with Rotator Cuff-Related Shoulder Pain, the improvement in shoulder-related pain perception is greater with Kettlebell training compared to the standard rehabilitation program.
- H2: In individuals with Rotator Cuff Related Shoulder Pain, shoulder function improvement is greater with Kettlebell training compared to the standard rehabilitation program.
- H3: In individuals with Rotator Cuff-Related Shoulder Pain, shoulder performance improvement is greater with Kettlebell training than with the standard rehabilitation program.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Quadruple blind (participant, care provider, investigator, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise Group | Experimental | Other: Kettlebell ExerciseKettlebell Exercise Group |
| Control Group | Active comparator | Other: Standard ExerciseStandard Rehabilitation Group |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 35 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (8 listed)
- Individuals who are willing to participate and have been doing licensed/unlicensed amateur or professional sports for at least 3 years,
- Individuals with Tegner Activity Scale ≥ 5,
- A history of shoulder pain of at least 6 weeks,
- At least 3 points measured using the 0 to 10 point Numerical Pain Scale (NPS),
- Shoulder pain that worsens with resisted shoulder flexion, abduction or external rotation,
Key exclusion criteria (11 listed)
- History of fracture and/or surgery in the shoulder area,
- Adhesive capsulitis,
- Those with passive joint range of motion deficit,
- Individuals with a positive Apprehension Test and/or Sulcus Sign test and multidirectional shoulder instability,
- Numbness or tingling in the upper extremity with cervical compression test or upper extremity compression test,
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Kettlebell Exercise8-week Kettlebell Exercises compare with 8-week Standard Rehabilitation Program | Other | Exercise Group |
| Standard Exercise8-week Standard Rehabilitation Program compare with 8-week Kettlebell Exercises | Other | Control Group |
Primary outcome
Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI)
Time frame: 0th and 8th Week
It is a self-report questionnaire that measures pain and disability in the shoulder. It consists of 13 items in 2 subscales: pain (5 items) and disability (8 items). Items for both subscales are measured with visual analog scales ranging from 0 (no pain or difficulty) to 10 (worst pain imaginable or difficult enough to require assistance).
Seated Single-Arm Shot-Put Test
Time frame: 0th and 8th Week
Participants are placed in a position that does not restrict arm movement on the test side. In this position, they are instructed to hold a 3 kg ball in their hands at shoulder level with pain. Thus, from this initial positioning the participant pushes the ball as far as possible without noticing any compensation with the body. The evaluator administers the test independently and requests 3 applications at the participant's maximum capacity, with verbal stimulation and 1 minute rest between repetitions, and the average of these 3 applications is calculated.
Upper Extremity Y Balance Test
Time frame: 0th and 8th Week
For testing; The mechanism is established by combining 1.5 meter (m) lines in the medial, inferolateral and superolateral directions at appropriate angles. For the test, participants are asked to come into a push-up position and reach in all three directions with their free hands. Maximum reach distance will be recorded in centimeters (cm). In order to normalize the reach distances according to the limb length, the maximum values in each direction are summed, divided by 3 times the limb length and multiplied by 100.
Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test
Time frame: 0th and 8th Week
Individuals will be positioned in a push-up position with their bodies aligned in a straight line when viewed from the side, with a distance of 90 cm between their hands. Athletes will be asked to touch the dominant hand to the dorsum of the other hand within 15 seconds, and the total number of repetitions is recorded. The tests are repeated three times with a 45-second rest between tests and the average of the results is recorded.
Evaluation of Shoulder Isometric Muscle Strength
Time frame: 0th and 8th Week
Values resulting from isometric contraction will be recorded in kg. Muscle strength measurements will be evaluated bilaterally, in three repetitions, for 5 seconds. The average value of the triplicate results obtained will be recorded.
Evaluation of Hand Grip Strength
Time frame: 0th and 8th Week
Measurements were made while the individuals were standing, with the elbow and wrist in full extension. Measurements are repeated three times at 5-second intervals on the dominant and non-dominant hands (first right, then left and right again, etc.) and recorded in kilograms, and then their average is taken.
1 secondary outcome
Global Rating of Change (GROC)
Time frame: 0th and 8th Week
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 17 Dec 2025.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
2 sites in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Kettlebell Exercise and Standard Exercise in people with Shoulder Pain and Rotator Cuff Injuries, run by Hacettepe University at 2 sites in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 8 inclusion and 11 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 17 Dec 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 2 sites in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Each site lists its own contact: choose the nearest one under Trial locations. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) (time frame: 0th and 8th Week). The study lists 6 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 17 Dec 2025; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 7 Nov 2026.