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Completed

NCT Number: NCT06923930

Impact of a Cueing Device on Upper Extremity Muscle Strength in Swimmers

The goal of this study is to find out if a tool called an external cueing device (ECD) can help young swimmers improve their shoulder function. An ECD is a tool that limits arm movement and gives the swimmer a target to focus on while doing exercises. The main questions this study will answer are:

* Does using an ECD during certain exercises improve muscle strength? * Does using an ECD while exercising help with shoulder stability?

Participants will:

* Test their shoulder muscle strength and stability at the beginning of the study. * Complete 8 exercises as part of their regular dry-land training program for 6 weeks. * Repeat the same tests after 3 weeks and again at the end of the study.

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Key information

Conditions

Healthy Volunteers Only

Age range

11 year–18 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Fredericka G. Evans Cultural Centre

Mobile, Alabama, 36603, United States

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Healthy Volunteer Adolescent Swimmers
  • Member of CMSA

Exclusion criteria

  • Swimmers under the age of 11 years of age.
  • Swimmers that are not registered as athletes through United States Swimming.
  • Swimmers that are not enrolled in Age Group III, Senior 1, Senior 2, or Senior 3
  • Swimmers not attending practice due to an injury (i.e., shoulder, back, etc.).
  • Swimmers currently not participating in a dryland program offered through CMSA.

Treatment and study plan

External Cueing Device

Device

A portable product that provides movement pattern constraints to ensure improved exercise form, and provides a target zone for exercise effort

Exercise

Other

Shoulder stabilization exercise protocol contains 8 exercises ("I", "Y", "T", "i", "w", alternating arm "I"/"i", "n", and supine serratus punch) completed for 8 repetitions each for 3 weeks, and in weeks 4-6 completed at 2 sets of 8 repetitions each.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change from baseline in isometric muscle torque production at 180 degrees shoulder abduction

    Time frame: Baseline, 3 weeks, 6 weeks.

    Handheld dynamometer assessment of force production times lever arm distance (Newton.meters) of prone shoulder elevation in 180 degrees of abduction completed at baseline, after 3 and 6 weeks of the training program.

  2. Change from baseline in isometric muscle torque production at 135 degrees shoulder abduction

    Time frame: Baseline, 3 weeks, 6 weeks.

    Handheld dynamometer assessment of force production times lever arm distance (Newton.meters) of prone shoulder elevation in 135 degrees of abduction completed at baseline, after 3 and 6 weeks of the training program.

  3. Change from baseline in isometric muscle torque production at 90 degrees shoulder abduction

    Time frame: Baseline, 3 weeks, 6 weeks.

    Handheld dynamometer assessment of force production times lever arm distance (Newton.meters) of prone shoulder elevation in 90 degrees of abduction completed at baseline, after 3 and 6 weeks of the training program.

  4. Change from baseline in modified Athletic Shoulder Test at 180 degrees shoulder abduction

    Time frame: Baseline, 3 weeks, 6 weeks.

    Maximum isometric force production with lying prone into a handheld dynamometer at a given lever arm distance results in muscle torque (Newton.meters) reading. This portion of the test is conducted at 180 degrees of abduction.

  5. Change from baseline in modified Athletic Shoulder Test at 135 degrees shoulder abduction

    Time frame: Baseline, 3 weeks, 6 weeks.

    Maximum isometric force production with lying prone into a handheld dynamometer at a given lever arm distance results in muscle torque (Newton.meters) reading. This portion of the test is conducted at 135 degrees of abduction.

  6. Change from baseline in modified Athletic Shoulder Test at 90 degrees shoulder abduction

    Time frame: Baseline, 3 weeks, 6 weeks.

    Maximum isometric force production with lying prone into a handheld dynamometer at a given lever arm distance results in muscle torque (Newton.meters) reading. This portion of the test is conducted at 90 degrees of abduction.

  7. Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test Power Score

    Time frame: Baseline, 6 weeks.

    Two strips of tape are placed 36 inches apart. Participants assume a push up position (male) or pushup on knees (Female) and are instructed to reach across and touch the opposing hand alternating arms. Maximum number of touches in 15 seconds is recorded. Normalization is made by multiplying the raw touch score by 0.68 x Subject weight in Kg (representing the mass on the head arms and trunk) and dividing by the 15 seconds. Higher number indicates increased shoulder stability.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test Raw Touch Score

    Time frame: Baseline, 6 weeks.

    Two strips of tape are placed 36 inches apart. Participants assume a push up position (male) or pushup on knees (Female) and are instructed to reach across and touch the opposing hand alternating arms. Maximum number of touches in 15 seconds is recorded. Higher number of touches indicates increased shoulder stability

  2. Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test Touch Score

    Time frame: Baseline, 6 weeks.

    Two strips of tape are placed 36 inches apart. Participants assume a push up position (male) or pushup on knees (Female) and are instructed to reach across and touch the opposing hand alternating arms. Maximum number of touches in 15 seconds is recorded. Touches are adjusted for subject height by dividing raw touch by subject height (in inches based on prior literature). Higher number of touches indicates increased shoulder stability

  3. Maximal Prone Arm Elevation at 180 degrees abduction

    Time frame: Baseline, 3 weeks, 6 weeks.

    Distance from floor to wrist crease, measured in cm.

  4. Maximal Prone Arm Elevation at 135 degrees abduction

    Time frame: Baseline, 3 weeks, 6 weeks.

    Distance from floor to wrist crease, measured in cm.

  5. Maximal Prone Arm Elevation at 90 degrees abduction

    Time frame: Baseline, 3 weeks, 6 weeks.

    Distance from floor to wrist crease, measured in cm.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of South Alabama

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Impact of a Cueing Device on Upper Extremity Muscle Strength in Swimmers: A 6-Week Training Protocol Using Scapular Stabilization Exercises.

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Apr 11, 2025
Registry last updated
Apr 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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