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NCT Number: NCT07072091

Focusing the Shoulder or Considering the Whole-Body in Volleyball Physiotherapy

Shoulder pain can be common in overhead sports, and in particular, in volleyball. Different physiotherapy protocols can be adopted depending on the suspected pathophysiological mechanisms. Despite most of the protocols rely only on the shoulder district, some research suggests that treating the whole-body might produce better results as it could influence kinematic chains and correct muscle imbalances. The aim of this study will be to compare the effects of two physiotherapy protocols (shoulder focus or whole body) compared to only education without physiotherapy.

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Key information

Conditions

Shoulder Pain Arthralgia Joint Diseases Musculoskeletal Diseases Neurologic Manifestations Pain Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms Volleyball Players

Age range

17 year–30 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Trieste - Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology Lab

Trieste, 34100, Italy

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Alex Buoite Stella, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

0039 0403996582

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • practicing volleyball for at least 5 years with a training volume of minimum 5 h/wk

Exclusion criteria

  • history of previous surgical intervention or fractures on the shoulder or spine

Treatment and study plan

Total body physiotherapy

Other

This intervention consists in 5 weeks of 2 x week 60 min sessions of physiotherapy consisting in active exercise performed in upper limb, trunk, and lower limb muscles, in a whole-body approach.

Focus shoulder physiotherapy

Other

This intervention consists in 5 weeks of 2 x week 60 min sessions of physiotherapy consisting in active exercise performed only in the shoulder district, focusing on the trunk-arm muscles.

Education

Other

Single education session providing information about posture hygiene and proper warm-up

Primary outcomes

  1. Isometric strength with handheld dynamometer (Newtons)

    Time frame: At enrollment and at the end of treatment at 5 weeks

    Isometric strength during shoulder flexion, extension, external and internal rotation, bilaterally

Secondary outcomes

  1. Lateral symmetry (%)

    Time frame: At enrollement and at the end of treatment after 5 weeks

    Lateral symmetry will be assessed as percentage between the two upper limbs for the investigated muscles (pectoralis major, latissimus dorsi, upper trapezius, middle trepezius, lower trapezius, anterior deltoid, posterior deltoid) using the tensiomyography system

  2. Time of contraction (ms)

    Time frame: At enrollement and at the end of treatment after 5 weeks

    Time of contraction (ms), i.e. the time requiring the muscle to reach the peak of muscle displacement, will be assessed as percentage between the two upper limbs for the investigated muscles (pectoralis major, latissimus dorsi, upper trapezius, middle trepezius, lower trapezius, anterior deltoid, posterior deltoid) using the tensiomyography system

  3. Muscle belly displacement (mm)

    Time frame: At enrollement and at the end of treatment after 5 weeks

    Muscle belly displacement (mm), i.e. the amplitude of muscle displacement, will be assessed as percentage between the two upper limbs for the investigated muscles (pectoralis major, latissimus dorsi, upper trapezius, middle trepezius, lower trapezius, anterior deltoid, posterior deltoid) using the tensiomyography system

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Trieste

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Focusing the Shoulder or Considering the Whole-Body? A Randomized Controlled Trial on Physiotherapy Protocols for the Painful Shoulder in Volleyball Players

Acronym: FocusVolley

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Jul 18, 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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