The Effects of Core and Shoulder Stabilization Exercises on Athletic Performance and Injury Risk in Master Swimmers

The evaluation of injury risk in participants will be conducted purposefully. The Functional Movement Screening (FMS) will be used for this assessment (Lockie et al., 2015). The FMS consists of seven fundamental movements: deep squat, hurdle step, inline lunge, shoulder mobility, active straight-leg raise, trunk stability push-up, and rotary stability (Cook et al., 2006). Scoring will be performed based on observations: a score of 3 will be given when the movement is performed in the desired pattern, 2 points if the movement is partially or fully completed but with compensatory mechanisms used, 1 point if the movement is not completed, and 0 points if pain is present at any point during the movement. The total score for the athlete will be calculated by summing the scores obtained from each movement. If the athlete scores 14 or less, their functional movement capacity will be defined as low and the risk of injury will be considered high (Cook et al., 2006).

The evaluation of injury risk in participants will be conducted purposefully. The Functional Movement Screening (FMS) will be used for this assessment (Lockie et al., 2015). The FMS consists of seven fundamental movements: deep squat, hurdle step, inline lunge, shoulder mobility, active straight-leg raise, trunk stability push-up, and rotary stability (Cook et al., 2006). Scoring will be performed based on observations: a score of 3 will be given when the movement is performed in the desired pattern, 2 points if the movement is partially or fully completed but with compensatory mechanisms used, 1 point if the movement is not completed, and 0 points if pain is present at any point during the movement. The total score for the athlete will be calculated by summing the scores obtained from each movement. If the athlete scores 14 or less, their functional movement capacity will be defined as low and the risk of injury will be considered high (Cook et al., 2006).

The evaluation of injury risk in participants will be conducted purposefully. The Functional Movement Screening (FMS) will be used for this assessment (Lockie et al., 2015). The FMS consists of seven fundamental movements: deep squat, hurdle step, inline lunge, shoulder mobility, active straight-leg raise, trunk stability push-up, and rotary stability (Cook et al., 2006). Scoring will be performed based on observations: a score of 3 will be given when the movement is performed in the desired pattern, 2 points if the movement is partially or fully completed but with compensatory mechanisms used, 1 point if the movement is not completed, and 0 points if pain is present at any point during the movement. The total score for the athlete will be calculated by summing the scores obtained from each movement. If the athlete scores 14 or less, their functional movement capacity will be defined as low and the risk of injury will be considered high (Cook et al., 2006).

To assess participants' core endurance, an isometric plank test will be administered. Participants will be instructed to assume a push-up position with their elbows directly beneath their shoulders, forearms, and fingers extended straight ahead. The body should remain straight from the head to the heels, and the neck should be in a neutral position (Tong et al., 2014). When the participant reaches the correct position, the timer will start immediately. The test will be terminated if the participant cannot maintain a straight back or if the hips drop. The duration will be recorded in minutes and seconds using a stopwatch. The goal of this test is to hold the high position for as long as possible (Bohannon et al., 2018).

To assess participants' core endurance, an isometric plank test will be administered. Participants will be instructed to assume a push-up position with their elbows directly beneath their shoulders, forearms, and fingers extended straight ahead. The body should remain straight from the head to the heels, and the neck should be in a neutral position (Tong et al., 2014). When the participant reaches the correct position, the timer will start immediately. The test will be terminated if the participant cannot maintain a straight back or if the hips drop. The duration will be recorded in minutes and seconds using a stopwatch. The goal of this test is to hold the high position for as long as possible (Bohannon et al., 2018).

To assess participants' core endurance, an isometric plank test will be administered. Participants will be instructed to assume a push-up position with their elbows directly beneath their shoulders, forearms, and fingers extended straight ahead. The body should remain straight from the head to the heels, and the neck should be in a neutral position (Tong et al., 2014). When the participant reaches the correct position, the timer will start immediately. The test will be terminated if the participant cannot maintain a straight back or if the hips drop. The duration will be recorded in minutes and seconds using a stopwatch. The goal of this test is to hold the high position for as long as possible (Bohannon et al., 2018).

The Closed Kinetic Chain (CKC) test will be administered to assess the upper extremity stability of participants. To perform the test, men will assume a push-up position, while women will take a modified push-up position (knee push-up). Both will place their hands on two strips of tape spaced 91.4 cm (36 inches) apart, with the third finger touching the ground (Tucci et al., 2017). Participants must keep their bodies as straight as possible while maintaining their weight on the upper extremities. To start the test, the participant moves one hand from the tape line to the other side, touches the other hand, and then returns to the original line. The process is then repeated with the other hand, and this is done as many times as possible in 15 seconds (Tucci et al., 2017). The test is repeated three times with 45-second rest intervals between each attempt. The score will be calculated based on the arithmetic mean of the touches (de Oliveira et al., 2017).

The Closed Kinetic Chain (CKC) test will be administered to assess the upper extremity stability of participants. To perform the test, men will assume a push-up position, while women will take a modified push-up position (knee push-up). Both will place their hands on two strips of tape spaced 91.4 cm (36 inches) apart, with the third finger touching the ground (Tucci et al., 2017). Participants must keep their bodies as straight as possible while maintaining their weight on the upper extremities. To start the test, the participant moves one hand from the tape line to the other side, touches the other hand, and then returns to the original line. The process is then repeated with the other hand, and this is done as many times as possible in 15 seconds (Tucci et al., 2017). The test is repeated three times with 45-second rest intervals between each attempt. The score will be calculated based on the arithmetic mean of the touches (de Oliveira et al., 2017).

The Closed Kinetic Chain (CKC) test will be administered to assess the upper extremity stability of participants. To perform the test, men will assume a push-up position, while women will take a modified push-up position (knee push-up). Both will place their hands on two strips of tape spaced 91.4 cm (36 inches) apart, with the third finger touching the ground (Tucci et al., 2017). Participants must keep their bodies as straight as possible while maintaining their weight on the upper extremities. To start the test, the participant moves one hand from the tape line to the other side, touches the other hand, and then returns to the original line. The process is then repeated with the other hand, and this is done as many times as possible in 15 seconds (Tucci et al., 2017). The test is repeated three times with 45-second rest intervals between each attempt. The score will be calculated based on the arithmetic mean of the touches (de Oliveira et al., 2017).

This test will be used to assess the open kinetic chain function and explosive power of the participants' upper extremities. For the test, the athlete will be positioned with their back, shoulders, and head touching the wall. A 3 kg medicine ball will be held with both hands and positioned to touch the chest wall. The athlete will be instructed to throw the medicine ball as far as possible in a straight line with a chest pass, without breaking contact with the wall (Shinkle et al., 2012). The athlete will be instructed not to "swing back" or "pump" the ball before initiating the throw in order to minimize momentum and muscle variation (Sharrock et al., 2011). The medicine ball throw will be performed twice, and the best distance will be used for evaluation. The point where the ball first touches the ground will be marked and measured in meters. A 1-minute rest will be provided between each throw (Shinkle et al., 2012).

This test will be used to assess the open kinetic chain function and explosive power of the participants' upper extremities. For the test, the athlete will be positioned with their back, shoulders, and head touching the wall. A 3 kg medicine ball will be held with both hands and positioned to touch the chest wall. The athlete will be instructed to throw the medicine ball as far as possible in a straight line with a chest pass, without breaking contact with the wall (Shinkle et al., 2012). The athlete will be instructed not to "swing back" or "pump" the ball before initiating the throw in order to minimize momentum and muscle variation (Sharrock et al., 2011). The medicine ball throw will be performed twice, and the best distance will be used for evaluation. The point where the ball first touches the ground will be marked and measured in meters. A 1-minute rest will be provided between each throw (Shinkle et al., 2012).

This test will be used to assess the open kinetic chain function and explosive power of the participants' upper extremities. For the test, the athlete will be positioned with their back, shoulders, and head touching the wall. A 3 kg medicine ball will be held with both hands and positioned to touch the chest wall. The athlete will be instructed to throw the medicine ball as far as possible in a straight line with a chest pass, without breaking contact with the wall (Shinkle et al., 2012). The athlete will be instructed not to "swing back" or "pump" the ball before initiating the throw in order to minimize momentum and muscle variation (Sharrock et al., 2011). The medicine ball throw will be performed twice, and the best distance will be used for evaluation. The point where the ball first touches the ground will be marked and measured in meters. A 1-minute rest will be provided between each throw (Shinkle et al., 2012).

The 50 m freestyle swimming test will be administered to evaluate the swimming performance of the participants. Measurements will be conducted in a 25 m lane in a closed swimming pool. Before the test, athletes will perform land-based warm-up exercises and complete their warm-up with 200 m freestyle, 200 m kick drills, and 4x25 m sprint swimming (Soydan, 2006). The 50 m freestyle swimming performance will be tested with the athlete starting from the pool edge, pushing off the wall with both legs from within the water, without using a starting block. The stopwatch will be stopped as soon as the athlete touches the lane's edge.

The 50 m freestyle swimming test will be administered to evaluate the swimming performance of the participants. Measurements will be conducted in a 25 m lane in a closed swimming pool. Before the test, athletes will perform land-based warm-up exercises and complete their warm-up with 200 m freestyle, 200 m kick drills, and 4x25 m sprint swimming (Soydan, 2006). The 50 m freestyle swimming performance will be tested with the athlete starting from the pool edge, pushing off the wall with both legs from within the water, without using a starting block. The stopwatch will be stopped as soon as the athlete touches the lane's edge.

The 50 m freestyle swimming test will be administered to evaluate the swimming performance of the participants. Measurements will be conducted in a 25 m lane in a closed swimming pool. Before the test, athletes will perform land-based warm-up exercises and complete their warm-up with 200 m freestyle, 200 m kick drills, and 4x25 m sprint swimming (Soydan, 2006). The 50 m freestyle swimming performance will be tested with the athlete starting from the pool edge, pushing off the wall with both legs from within the water, without using a starting block. The stopwatch will be stopped as soon as the athlete touches the lane's edge.