Balance AssessmentNCT07860606
Posture, Proprioception, Core Stability, and Balance in Weightlifters
An observational study of Balance Assessment and Kyphosis Postural Thoracic, run by Istinye University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
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. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 35 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Balance Assessment, Kyphosis Postural Thoracic, Proprioception, Postural Balance
- What is being tested?
- Assessment
- How many people
- 60 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 15 Oct 2026to 30 Jan 2027
- Phase
- Observational
- 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
Study population: 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
Who may be able to join
- 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
Who cannot join
- 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
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Istinye university
Istanbul, Zeytinburnu, 34025
Istinye university, 08502836000
About this study
Official title: 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.
Read the detailed description
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.
- Being tested
- Assessment
- Keywords
- Proprioception, Thoracic kyphosis, Balance
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
AssessmentOther
All measurements will be performed in a single assessment session. Participants will undergo a 5-minute warm-up beforehand, and 2-3 minute rest intervals will be provided between tests. The test sequence will be standardized as follows: kyphosis measurement → proprioception → core stability → dynamic balance.
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Thoracic Kyphosis Angle
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.
Measured: 4 weeks
Lumbar Joint Position Sense-Flexion Repositioning Error
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.
Measured: 4 weeks
Lumbar Joint Position Sense-Extension Repositioning Error
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.
Measured: 4 weeks
Shoulder Joint Position Sense-Abduction Repositioning Error
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.
Measured: 4 weeks
Trunk Flexor Muscle Endurance
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.
Measured: 4 weeks
Trunk Extensor Muscle Endurance
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.
Measured: 4 weeks
Lateral Trunk Muscle Endurance
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.
Measured: 4 weeks
Lower-Extremity Dynamic Balance
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.
Measured: 4 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted6 Oct 2026
- Study start15 Oct 2026
- Primary completion1 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion30 Jan 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Balance AssessmentStudies 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
- Observational
- Observational model
- Other
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Istinye University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Aly İbrahim fathallah, Istinye University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07860606
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2026/125
- Status last verified
- Oct 2026
- First submitted
- 30 Sep 2026
- Last updated
- 21 Oct 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 21 Oct 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Investigation of the Relationship Between Thoracic Kyphosis Angle, Proprioceptive Sensitivity, Core Stability, and Dynamic Balance in Weightlifting Athletes: A Cross-Sectional and Comparative Study
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07860606
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 2026/125
- Keywords
- Proprioception, Thoracic kyphosis, Balance
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Istinye UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 15 Oct 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 30 Jan 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 6 Oct 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.
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.
Detailed description
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.
Study design
- Observational model
- Other
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 35 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
- Study population
- 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
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- 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
Key exclusion criteria (7 listed)
- 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.)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| AssessmentAll measurements will be performed in a single assessment session. Participants will undergo a 5-minute warm-up beforehand, and 2-3 minute rest intervals will be provided between tests. The test sequence will be standardized as follows: kyphosis measurement → proprioception → core stability → dynamic balance. | Other | – |
Primary outcome
Thoracic Kyphosis Angle
Time frame: 4 weeks
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.
Lumbar Joint Position Sense-Flexion Repositioning Error
Time frame: 4 weeks
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.
Lumbar Joint Position Sense-Extension Repositioning Error
Time frame: 4 weeks
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.
Shoulder Joint Position Sense-Abduction Repositioning Error
Time frame: 4 weeks
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.
Trunk Flexor Muscle Endurance
Time frame: 4 weeks
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.
Trunk Extensor Muscle Endurance
Time frame: 4 weeks
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.
Lateral Trunk Muscle Endurance
Time frame: 4 weeks
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.
Lower-Extremity Dynamic Balance
Time frame: 4 weeks
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.
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 21 Oct 2026.
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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.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Balance Assessment and Kyphosis Postural Thoracic, run by Istinye 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 7 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 21 Oct 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?
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?
Contact Aly Ibrahim Fathalla, Master's (+90 545 454 24 53, alyibrahimfathallah@gmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Thoracic Kyphosis Angle (time frame: 4 weeks). The study lists 8 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 21 Oct 2026.