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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07783997

Thrower's Ten Versus Conventional Conditioning in Amateur Discus Throwers

This retrospective observational study compares the association of Thrower's Ten training and conventional conditioning with throwing performance and shoulder muscle strength in amateur male discus throwers. The study uses previously completed training and performance records from athletes who participated in one of two conditioning programmes. Throwing distance and shoulder muscle strength were assessed at baseline, during the training period, and at the end of the training period. The primary outcome is change in discus-throwing distance. Secondary outcomes include changes in shoulder muscle strength. The study aims to determine whether athletes who participated in the Thrower's Ten programme showed different changes in throwing performance and shoulder strength compared with athletes who participated in conventional conditioning.

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Key information

Conditions

Health Adult Subjects

Age range

18 year–25 year

Sex eligibility

Male

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Saveetha Medical College and Hospital [SMCH]

Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 602105, India

About this study

This is a retrospective observational comparative study evaluating previously completed training records of amateur male discus throwers. The study compares athletes who participated in a Thrower's Ten-based conditioning programme with athletes who participated in conventional conditioning. Participant allocation to the training programmes was not performed prospectively according to a research randomization protocol; programme assignment was primarily related to scheduling and facility availability.

The analysis includes athletes for whom complete records were available for the relevant assessment time points. The primary outcome is discus-throwing distance. Secondary outcomes comprise shoulder muscle strength measured using manual muscle testing. Outcome assessments were available at baseline and subsequent assessment points during the training period, including the end-of-training assessment.

The primary analysis evaluates differences in the pattern of change over time between the two training groups using a mixed-design analysis of variance, with the time-by-group interaction representing the principal longitudinal comparison. Multiple outcomes were considered and a Bonferroni-adjusted significance threshold was applied. Difference-in-change estimates and confidence intervals were also calculated. Exploratory covariate-adjusted sensitivity analyses were performed for selected outcomes.

Because the study is based on previously completed records, the findings represent associations between participation in the respective training programmes and changes in throwing performance and shoulder strength. The study does not establish that the Thrower's Ten exercise content alone caused the observed differences. Differences in programme progression and unmeasured training factors, including throwing volume, may have contributed to the observed results.

The study is intended to provide preliminary evidence regarding the relationship between a structured Thrower's Ten-based conditioning programme and performance-related outcomes in amateur male discus throwers and to inform future prospective controlled studies.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Male amateur discus throwers aged 18-25 years.
  • Participants who participated in either the Thrower's Ten conditioning programme or the conventional conditioning programme.
  • Participants with the required baseline, Week 4, and Week 8 outcome records available for analysis.

Exclusion criteria

  • Participants with incomplete outcome records required for the analysis.
  • Participants who did not complete the required training programme or assessment schedule.

Treatment and study plan

Thrower's Ten exercise program

Behavioral

An 8-week Thrower's Ten conditioning program for amateur male discus throwers, consisting of supervised shoulder strengthening and flexibility exercises performed 3 sessions per week for 30 minutes per session. The program was based on the Thrower's Ten exercise series and incorporated progressive resistance during the training period. The program was administered as part of the athletes' routine conditioning.

Conventional conditioning program

Behavioral

An 8-week conventional conditioning program consisting of shoulder strengthening and flexibility exercises, including prone horizontal abduction, horizontal abduction at 90° external rotation, side-lying external rotation, standing row, military press, towel stretch, crossover arm stretch, and sleeper stretch. Training was performed 3 sessions per week for 30 minutes per session. Progression in the conventional cohort was determined at the discretion of the trainer.

Primary outcomes

  1. Discus-Throwing Distance

    Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), Week 4, and Week 8

    Discus-throwing distance measured in metres. Athletes performed three legal discus throws following a standardised warm-up, with 1-2 minutes of rest between attempts. The longest valid throw was recorded. Two trained evaluators independently identified the initial ground-contact point and measured the throwing distance using a standard measuring tape.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Isometric Shoulder Flexor Muscle Strength

    Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), Week 4, and Week 8

    Isometric shoulder flexor muscle strength measured using the Modified Sphygmomanometer Test (MST). Strength was assessed by a trained assessor and recorded in mmHg.

  2. Isometric Shoulder Extensor Muscle Strength

    Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), Week 4, and Week 8

    Isometric shoulder extensor muscle strength measured using the Modified Sphygmomanometer Test (MST). Strength was assessed by a trained assessor and recorded in mmHg.

  3. Isometric Shoulder Abductor Muscle Strength

    Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), Week 4, and Week 8

    Isometric shoulder abductor muscle strength measured using the Modified Sphygmomanometer Test (MST). Strength was assessed by a trained assessor and recorded in mmHg.

  4. Isometric Shoulder Internal Rotator Muscle Strength

    Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), Week 4, and Week 8

    Isometric shoulder internal rotator muscle strength measured using the Modified Sphygmomanometer Test (MST). Strength was assessed by a trained assessor and recorded in mmHg.

  5. Isometric Shoulder External Rotator Muscle Strength

    Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), Week 4, and Week 8

    Isometric shoulder external rotator muscle strength measured using the Modified Sphygmomanometer Test (MST). Strength was assessed by a trained assessor and recorded in mmHg.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Saveetha University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Association of Thrower's Ten Conditioning With Changes in Throwing Distance and Shoulder Strength in Amateur Male Discus Throwers: a Retrospective Cohort Study

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Aug 25, 2026
Registry last updated
Aug 27, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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