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NCT Number: NCT07331012

Effects of Upper Extremity Flywheel Exercises on Skills, Muscle Oxygenation, and Fatigue in Adolescent Basketball

This study will investigate the effects of flywheel exercises targeting the upper extremities on athletic performance, muscle oxygenation, physical fatigue, and muscle strength in adolescent basketball players. A total of 36 healthy male adolescent basketball players aged 10-18 years will be included in the study and divided into two groups using stratified randomization: a flywheel exercise group (n=18) and a traditional strength training group (n=18).

Athletic skills will be assessed using the Johnson Basketball Skill Tests (passing test, dribbling test, shooting test), the Basketball Shooting Accuracy Test, and the Functional Shooting Performance Index (FAPI). Upper extremity muscle oxygenation will be measured using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) with a Moxy muscle oxygen meter. Physical fatigue level will be determined using the Modified Borg Scale. Upper extremity muscle strength will be assessed using a Kinvent hand dynamometer and the Seated Single Arm Ball Throw Test. The flywheel group will undergo eccentric weight flywheel exercises three times a week for eight weeks. The traditional strength training group will follow a strength training program using dumbbells for the same duration and frequency. All assessments will be conducted before and after the training program.

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Key information

Conditions

Physical Fatigue

Age range

10 year–18 year

Sex eligibility

Male

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Iğdır Youth and Sports Provincial Directorate - Kazım Karabekir Sports Hall

Iğdır, 76000, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Iğdır Youth and Sports Provincial Directorate

CONTACT

[email protected]

04762277991

About this study

Adolescence is a critical period in which athletic performance and musculoskeletal adaptations develop rapidly. In sports that actively utilize the upper extremities, such as basketball, strength, coordination, and fatigue tolerance directly affect performance. In recent years, flywheel exercise systems, which allow for eccentric loading, have emerged as an effective training method for improving muscle strength and neuromuscular adaptations. However, scientific evidence regarding the effects of these systems on adolescent athletes is limited. This study was planned to investigate the effects of flywheel exercises targeting the upper extremities on athletic performance, muscle oxygenation, and physical fatigue in adolescent basketball players. The study will be conducted using a randomized controlled design, with participants divided into two groups: a flywheel exercise group and a traditional strength training group. Both groups will receive a structured upper extremity strength training program of equal duration and frequency. Throughout the study, all participants will continue their routine basketball training; only the strength training method applied will differ between the groups. Assessments will be conducted before and after the training program, and intra-group and between-group changes will be analyzed. The findings are expected to provide important information about the applicability of flywheel exercises in adolescent athletes and their potential effects on performance.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Volunteer male basketball players aged 10-18 who have played basketball for at least one year,
  • Who have regularly attended training sessions for the past 6 months,
  • Who do not have an injury that would restrict their participation in training will be included in the study.

Exclusion criteria

  • Those who have undergone upper extremity surgery within the last year
  • Those with neurological, cardiovascular, respiratory, or metabolic diseases (e.g., epilepsy, heart disease, asthma, diabetes, etc.)
  • Those who have sustained any upper extremity musculoskeletal injury within the last year

Treatment and study plan

Flywheel exercises

Other

Participants perform 8 weeks of upper extremity eccentric resistance exercises using the flywheel device, 3 sessions per week, with progressive load increase over time.

Traditional Resistance Training

Other

Participants perform 8 weeks of upper extremity resistance exercises using dumbbells, 3 sessions per week, with individualized progressive load based on 1 repetition maximum (1RM).

Primary outcomes

  1. Basketball-Specific Skill Performance

    Time frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks of training

    Basketball-specific skills will be assessed using the Johnson Basketball Skill Tests (passing, dribbling, and shooting tests), the Basketball Shooting Accuracy Test, and the Functional Throwing Performance Index (FTPI). Higher scores indicate better basketball-specific skill performance."

  2. Muscle Oxygenation

    Time frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks of training

    Upper extremity muscle oxygenation will be assessed using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) with a Moxy muscle oxygen monitor placed over the biceps brachii muscle during basketball-specific performance tasks. Higher oxygen saturation percentages indicate better muscle oxygenation.

  3. Physical Fatigue

    Time frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks of training

    Perceived physical fatigue will be assessed using the Modified Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) Scale, which ranges from 0 (no fatigue) to 10 (maximal fatigue). Higher scores indicate greater perceived physical fatigue.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Upper Extremity Isometric Muscle Strength

    Time frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks of training

    Upper extremity isometric muscle strength will be assessed using a Kinvent handheld dynamometer. Measurements will include shoulder and elbow muscles. Strength will be recorded in kilograms or Newtons. Higher values indicate greater isometric strength.

  2. Upper Extremity Explosive Strength

    Time frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks of training

    Upper extremity explosive strength will be evaluated using the Seated Single-Arm Medicine Ball Throw Test. Participants throw a medicine ball as far as possible from a seated position. Distance of the throw will be recorded in centimeters. Higher values indicate greater explosive strength.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Berrak Varhan

CONTACT

[email protected]

+905467696639

Huseyin Melih Goktug Akpulat

CONTACT

[email protected]

+905067338440

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Istinye University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

The Effects of Upper Extremity Flywheel Exercises on Athletic Skills, Muscle Oxygenation and Physical Fatigue in Adolescent Basketball Players

Acronym: Flywheel

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2026
First posted
Jan 9, 2026
Registry last updated
Jan 13, 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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