Effects of Inertial Load of Water on Lower Limb Joint Moments During Landing and Cutting

This study examined whether a 10-week dynamic stability training program using water-filled equipment could improve joint control and postural stability during landing and directional changes.

Twenty-six healthy young men were randomly assigned to either a training group, which performed water-based exercises, or a control group, which did not receive any intervention.

All participants performed a landing followed by a 90-degree cutting task, and joint moment data were collected using a 3D motion capture system.

The study aimed to determine if water-based perturbation training enhances neuromuscular control and reduces biomechanical stress during complex movements.

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Key information

Conditions

Healthy Volunteers Lower Extremity Physical Fitness

Age range

20 year–29 year

Sex eligibility

Male

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Busan University of Foreign Studies

Busan, 46234, South Korea

About this study

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of dynamic stability training using the inertial load of water on lower limb joint moments and postural control during landing and subsequent 90-degree directional changes. Rapid deceleration and cutting movements are known to generate high biomechanical loads on the lower extremities, especially during transitions from the non-dominant to dominant leg. Enhancing neuromuscular control in these situations may help reduce injury risk and improve movement efficiency.

A total of 26 healthy male participants in their 20s were recruited and randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n = 13) or a control group (n = 13). The experimental group completed a 10-week training program using water-filled bags designed to induce dynamic perturbation and promote balance and joint control. The control group did not undergo any training intervention during the same period.

All participants performed a standardized movement task consisting of single-leg landing followed by a 90-degree cutting maneuver. A 3D motion capture system and force plates were used to collect data on joint moments and biomechanical responses during both the landing and change-of-direction phases. Pre- and post-intervention data were compared to determine the effectiveness of the water-based perturbation training.

This study was designed to evaluate whether unstable load training can serve as an effective method for improving lower extremity biomechanics and dynamic stability in young adults.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

Healthy adult males aged 20-29 years
No history of musculoskeletal injury or surgery in the past 6 months
No neurological or balance disorders
Right-leg dominant

Exclusion criteria

Participation in any other structured training program during the study period
Any current or chronic pain affecting physical activity
Use of medications that affect balance or neuromuscular control

Treatment and study plan

Dynamic Stability Training with Inertial load of water

Behavioral

A 10-week training program using AquaBag to enhance lower limb joint stability and neuromuscular coordination. Exercises included dynamic stepping, lunging, and landing tasks under water load-induced perturbations.

Primary outcomes

Peak Joint Moment of the Lower Extremity During Landing and Cutting

Time frame: Baseline and after 10 weeks of intervention

This outcome includes the peak moments of the hip, knee, and ankle joints in all three planes (sagittal, frontal, and transverse) measured during the landing and subsequent 90-degree change-of-direction task. The values are derived using a 3D motion capture system to calculate inverse dynamics.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Ja Yeon Lee

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effects of Inertial Load of Water on Lower Extremity Joint Moments During Landing and Cutting

Important dates

Study start: 2025
Primary completion: 2025
Study completion: 2025
First posted: Aug 12, 2025
Registry last updated: Aug 14, 2025

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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