HealthyCORE-VOLLEYNCT07641439
Static vs Dynamic Core Exercises for Improving Serve and Spike Speed in Elite Young Male Volleyball Players
A study testing Static Core Exercise Training, Dynamic Core Exercise Group (DCEG) and Velocity Speed Gun in people with Healthy and Sport, run by Istanbul Gelisim University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
Volleyball performance at the elite level will depend heavily on the speed and efficiency of overhead actions, particularly the serve and the spike. These skills will rely not only on upper-extremity strength but also on the effective transfer of force through the kinetic chain, in which the core musculature will play… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 11 to 14 years, men onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- What is being tested?
- Static Core Exercise Training, Dynamic Core Exercise Group (DCEG) and Velocity Speed Gun
- Type of treatment
- Medical device
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 31 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 18 Feb 2026to 5 Apr 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
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 11 to 14 years
- Men only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child
Who may be able to join
- male sex;
- age 11-14 years;
- ≥ 2 years of systematic volleyball training;
- club-level competitive participation;
- absence of any musculoskeletal injury during the preceding six months.
Who cannot join
- chronic pain syndromes;
- prior structured core-training intervention within the previous three months;
- attendance at fewer than 90% of the supervised sessions during the trial
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: The Effects of Static and Dynamic Core Exercises on Serve and Spike Velocity in Elite Young Male Volleyball Players: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Volleyball performance at the elite level will depend heavily on the speed and efficiency of overhead actions, particularly the serve and the spike. These skills will rely not only on upper-extremity strength but also on the effective transfer of force through the kinetic chain, in which the core musculature will play a central role. Core stability will contribute to balance, postural control, and coordination of movement, all of which will be essential for producing high ball velocities. However, there is limited evidence directly comparing static (isometric) and dynamic (movement-based) core training approaches in elite young volleyball players.
The purpose of this randomized controlled trial will be to investigate and compare the effects of static and dynamic core training programs on serve and spike velocity in elite young male volleyball players aged 11-14 years. The study will aim to determine whether different types of core exercises will lead to specific performance adaptations and whether one method will be more effective than the other for improving particular volleyball skills.
Read more
A total of 31 elite young male volleyball players will be included in the study. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a Static Core Exercise Group (n = 16) or a Dynamic Core Exercise Group (n = 15). Both groups will participate in a structured six-week training intervention, consisting of three sessions per week, in addition to their regular volleyball training.
The static core training program will consist of isometric exercises designed to improve trunk stability and muscular endurance. The dynamic core training program will include multi-planar and rotational exercises aimed at enhancing power, coordination, and force production. All training sessions will be supervised and progressively adjusted throughout the intervention period.
Serve and spike velocities will be measured before and after the intervention using a radar-based measurement system under standardized testing conditions. Anthropometric characteristics, including height and body mass, will also be recorded. Statistical analyses will be conducted to evaluate within-group changes and between-group differences following the intervention.
The primary research question will be: Will static and dynamic core training programs differentially affect serve and spike velocity in elite young male volleyball players? A secondary objective will be to determine which type of core training will be more effective for improving specific volleyball performance outcomes.
It will be hypothesized that both training approaches will lead to improvements in performance. However, dynamic core exercises are expected to result in greater increases in serve velocity due to their emphasis on rotational power and movement specificity, whereas static core exercises are expected to provide greater improvements in spike velocity by enhancing trunk stability during ball contact.
The findings of this study will provide practical guidance for coaches and practitioners in designing evidence-based training programs for youth volleyball players and will contribute to more effective performance development and training periodization strategies.
- Being tested
- Static Core Exercise Training, Dynamic Core Exercise Group (DCEG), Velocity Speed Gun
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Static Core Exercise TrainingOther
Participants in this arm will perform a structured static (isometric) core training program in addition to their regular volleyball training. The program will include exercises such as front plank, side plank, lower abdominal plank, and posterior plank. Training will be conducted for six weeks, three sessions per week, with progressive increases in duration.
Dynamic Core Exercise Group (DCEG)Other
Participants in this arm will perform a structured dynamic (movement-based) core training program alongside their regular volleyball training. The program will include exercises such as dynamic side plank, Spider-Man plank, bicycle plank, and push-ups. Training will be conducted for six weeks, three sessions per week, with progressive increases in repetitions and intensity.
Velocity Speed GunDevice
The Bushnell radar velocity gun was used to measure ball velocity during volleyball serves and spikes. The device provided instantaneous speed measurements (km/h) for each trial and was utilized as an objective assessment tool for serve and spike performance.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Static Core Exercise Group (SCEG) | Experimental | Participants in this arm will perform a structured static (isometric) core training program in addition to their regular volleyball training. The program will include exercises such as front plank, side plank, lower abdominal plank, and posterior plank. Training will be conducted for six weeks, three sessions per week, with progressive increases in duration. Receives: Other: Static Core Exercise Training; Device: Velocity Speed Gun |
| Dynamic Core Exercise Group (DCEG) | Experimental | Participants in this arm will perform a structured dynamic (movement-based) core training program alongside their regular volleyball training. The program will include exercises such as dynamic side plank, Spider-Man plank, bicycle plank, and push-ups. Training will be conducted for six weeks, three sessions per week, with progressive increases in repetitions and intensity. Receives: Other: Dynamic Core Exercise Group (DCEG); Device: Velocity Speed Gun |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in volleyball serve ball speed measured by radar system
Maximum volleyball serve speed will be measured using a calibrated radar gun under standardized testing conditions. Each participant will perform three maximal serves, and the highest recorded velocity will be used for analysis. Ball speed will be reported in kilometers per hour (km/h). Measurements will be obtained at baseline and after the 6-week intervention period.
Measured: Baseline and post-intervention (6 weeks)
Change in volleyball spike ball speed measured by radar system
Maximum volleyball spike speed will be assessed using a calibrated radar-based measurement device under standardized testing conditions. Participants will perform three maximal spike attempts, and the highest recorded velocity will be included in the analysis. Ball speed will be reported in kilometers per hour (km/h). Measurements will be collected before and after the 6-week training intervention.
Measured: Baseline and post-intervention (6 weeks)
Secondary outcomes (2)
Change in core muscle endurance assessed by plank hold duration
Core muscle endurance will be evaluated using the prone plank test. The maximum duration participants can maintain the correct plank position will be recorded in seconds.
Measured: 6 weeks
Body mass and height measurements
Body mass will be measured using a calibrated digital scale and reported in kilograms (kg). Height will be measured using a stadiometer and reported in centimeters (cm). Body mass index (BMI) will be calculated using the formula:
BMI values will be reported in kilograms per square meter (kg/m²).
Measured: 6 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted11 Jun 2026
- Study start18 Feb 2026
- Primary completion20 Feb 2026
- Study completion5 Apr 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for HealthyStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- 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
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Investigator
- Enrolment
- 31 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Istanbul Gelisim University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Bilal GÖK, Istanbul Gelisim University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07641439
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2026-04-40
- Acronym
- CORE-VOLLEY
- Status last verified
- Jun 2026
- First submitted
- 5 May 2026
- Last updated
- 11 Jun 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Publications
Gok B, Acar G. The effect of static and dynamic core exercises on serve and spike speed in young volleyball players: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2026 Aug 25;18(1):391. doi: 10.1186/s13102-026-02013-z.
PubMed 42693445
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 11 Jun 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effects of Static and Dynamic Core Exercises on Serve and Spike Velocity in Elite Young Male Volleyball Players: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07641439
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- CORE-VOLLEY / 2026-04-40
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 31 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Istanbul Gelisim UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 18 Feb 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 20 Feb 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 5 Apr 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 11 Jun 2026 (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.
Volleyball performance at the elite level will depend heavily on the speed and efficiency of overhead actions, particularly the serve and the spike. These skills will rely not only on upper-extremity strength but also on the effective transfer of force through the kinetic chain, in which the core musculature will play a central role. Core stability will contribute to balance, postural control, and coordination of movement, all of which will be essential for producing high ball velocities. However, there is limited evidence directly comparing static (isometric) and dynamic (movement-based) core training approaches in elite young volleyball players.
The purpose of this randomized controlled trial will be to investigate and compare the effects of static and dynamic core training programs on serve and spike velocity in elite young male volleyball players aged 11-14 years. The study will aim to determine whether different types of core exercises will lead to specific performance adaptations and whether one method will be more effective than the other for improving particular volleyball skills.
A total of 31 elite young male volleyball players will be included in the study. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a Static Core Exercise Group (n = 16) or a Dynamic Core Exercise Group (n = 15). Both groups will participate in a structured six-week training intervention, consisting of three sessions per week, in addition to their regular volleyball training.
The static core training program will consist of isometric exercises designed to improve trunk stability and muscular endurance. The dynamic core training program will include multi-planar and rotational exercises aimed at enhancing power, coordination, and force production. All training sessions will be supervised and progressively adjusted throughout the intervention period.
Serve and spike velocities will be measured before and after the intervention using a radar-based measurement system under standardized testing conditions. Anthropometric characteristics, including height and body mass, will also be recorded. Statistical analyses will be conducted to evaluate within-group changes and between-group differences following the intervention.
The primary research question will be: Will static and dynamic core training programs differentially affect serve and spike velocity in elite young male volleyball players? A secondary objective will be to determine which type of core training will be more effective for improving specific volleyball performance outcomes.
It will be hypothesized that both training approaches will lead to improvements in performance. However, dynamic core exercises are expected to result in greater increases in serve velocity due to their emphasis on rotational power and movement specificity, whereas static core exercises are expected to provide greater improvements in spike velocity by enhancing trunk stability during ball contact.
The findings of this study will provide practical guidance for coaches and practitioners in designing evidence-based training programs for youth volleyball players and will contribute to more effective performance development and training periodization strategies.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind (participant, investigator)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Static Core Exercise Group (SCEG) | Experimental | Other: Static Core Exercise Training, Device: Velocity Speed GunParticipants in this arm will perform a structured static (isometric) core training program in addition to their regular volleyball training. The program will include exercises such as front plank, side plank, lower abdominal plank, and posterior plank. Training will be conducted for six weeks, three sessions per week, with progressive increases in duration. |
| Dynamic Core Exercise Group (DCEG) | Experimental | Other: Dynamic Core Exercise Group (DCEG), Device: Velocity Speed GunParticipants in this arm will perform a structured dynamic (movement-based) core training program alongside their regular volleyball training. The program will include exercises such as dynamic side plank, Spider-Man plank, bicycle plank, and push-ups. Training will be conducted for six weeks, three sessions per week, with progressive increases in repetitions and intensity. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 11 to 14 years
- Sex
- Male only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Child
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- male sex;
- age 11-14 years;
- ≥ 2 years of systematic volleyball training;
- club-level competitive participation;
- absence of any musculoskeletal injury during the preceding six months.
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- chronic pain syndromes;
- prior structured core-training intervention within the previous three months;
- attendance at fewer than 90% of the supervised sessions during the trial
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Static Core Exercise TrainingParticipants in this arm will perform a structured static (isometric) core training program in addition to their regular volleyball training. The program will include exercises such as front plank, side plank, lower abdominal plank, and posterior plank. Training will be conducted for six weeks, three sessions per week, with progressive increases in duration. | Other | Static Core Exercise Group (SCEG) |
| Dynamic Core Exercise Group (DCEG)Participants in this arm will perform a structured dynamic (movement-based) core training program alongside their regular volleyball training. The program will include exercises such as dynamic side plank, Spider-Man plank, bicycle plank, and push-ups. Training will be conducted for six weeks, three sessions per week, with progressive increases in repetitions and intensity. | Other | Dynamic Core Exercise Group (DCEG) |
| Velocity Speed GunThe Bushnell radar velocity gun was used to measure ball velocity during volleyball serves and spikes. The device provided instantaneous speed measurements (km/h) for each trial and was utilized as an objective assessment tool for serve and spike performance. | Device | Dynamic Core Exercise Group (DCEG), Static Core Exercise Group (SCEG) |
Primary outcome
Change in volleyball serve ball speed measured by radar system
Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (6 weeks)
Maximum volleyball serve speed will be measured using a calibrated radar gun under standardized testing conditions. Each participant will perform three maximal serves, and the highest recorded velocity will be used for analysis. Ball speed will be reported in kilometers per hour (km/h). Measurements will be obtained at baseline and after the 6-week intervention period.
Change in volleyball spike ball speed measured by radar system
Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (6 weeks)
Maximum volleyball spike speed will be assessed using a calibrated radar-based measurement device under standardized testing conditions. Participants will perform three maximal spike attempts, and the highest recorded velocity will be included in the analysis. Ball speed will be reported in kilometers per hour (km/h). Measurements will be collected before and after the 6-week training intervention.
2 secondary outcomes
Change in core muscle endurance assessed by plank hold duration
Time frame: 6 weeks
Body mass and height measurements
Time frame: 6 weeks
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 11 Jun 2026.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 42693445Gok B, Acar G. The effect of static and dynamic core exercises on serve and spike speed in young volleyball players: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2026 Aug 25;18(1):391. doi: 10.1186/s13102-026-02013-z.
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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. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Static Core Exercise Training, Dynamic Core Exercise Group (DCEG) and Velocity Speed Gun in people with Healthy and Sport, run by Istanbul Gelisim University at 1 site 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 5 inclusion and 3 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: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 11 Jun 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site 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?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change in volleyball serve ball speed measured by radar system (time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (6 weeks)). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07641439, which also lists 1 linked publication.
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 11 Jun 2026; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 3 Nov 2026.