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NCT Number: NCT07002008

The Effects of Scapular Stabilization Exercises in Traditional Archery Athletes

This randomized controlled trial aims to investigate the effects of an 8-week scapular stabilization exercise program on shooting accuracy and upper extremity performance in athletes engaged in traditional archery. Thirty licensed archers aged between 15 and 35, with at least 2 years of experience, will be randomly assigned to an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group will receive scapular stabilization exercises in addition to their regular training, while the control group will continue their usual training routine. Pre- and post-intervention evaluations will assess upper extremity strength, stability, proprioception, and shooting performance.

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Key information

Conditions

Athletes Archery Behavior Exercise Motor Activity

Age range

15 year–35 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Atıcılar Archery Facility, Bursa Metropolitan Municipality

Bursa, Osmangazi̇, 16040, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Atıcılar Archery Facility, Bursa Metropolitan Municipality

CONTACT

[email protected]

716 22 14

About this study

This study is a double-blind randomized controlled trial designed to investigate the effectiveness of scapular stabilization exercises on shooting performance and upper extremity functional capacity in athletes engaged in traditional archery. Traditional archery is a sport that places significant demands on shoulder girdle stability, particularly during the aiming and release phases. Improper scapular positioning and muscular imbalances may negatively impact accuracy and increase the risk of shoulder injuries over time.

Participants will be stratified by age and gender and randomly allocated into two groups: an intervention group performing a standardized scapular stabilization program in addition to regular training, and a control group continuing with regular training alone. The exercise program targets key scapular stabilizers, including the serratus anterior and lower trapezius, with the goal of improving scapular alignment, motor control, and muscular endurance. Exercise progression will be tailored to individual response and load tolerance.

Assessments will include validated performance and functional tests to evaluate changes in upper extremity strength, endurance, proprioception, and shooting accuracy. Pre- and post-intervention assessments will be conducted by blinded evaluators to minimize measurement bias. The study protocol has been designed to ensure methodological rigor, with strict adherence to randomization, blinding, and standardized testing procedures.

This research aims to fill a gap in the literature concerning shoulder health and performance in traditional archery athletes and may provide valuable guidance for clinicians and coaches involved in the training and rehabilitation of overhead sport athletes.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Aged 15 to 35 years

Licensed traditional archers with at least 2 years of experience

Regular participation in training programs

Willingness to participate and provide informed consent

Exclusion criteria

  • History of upper extremity orthopedic surgery in the past year

Existing musculoskeletal disorders in the upper extremity

Presence of any neurological disease

Treatment and study plan

Scapular Stabilization Exercise

Other

Intervention Description:

The intervention consists of a structured, physiotherapist-supervised scapular stabilization exercise program developed specifically for athletes engaged in traditional archery. The program is designed to enhance scapular alignment, motor control, and dynamic stability by targeting key stabilizing muscles such as the serratus anterior and lower trapezius.

Participants in the intervention group will continue their standard traditional archery training and will additionally perform the scapular stabilization protocol three times per week for 8 consecutive weeks, with each session lasting approximately 40 minutes.

The exercise regimen includes:

Scapular Retraction Exercise (prone position with arm elevation)

Push-Up Plus Exercise (with scapular protraction emphasis)

Scapular Retraction and Depression with Elastic Band Resistance

Dipping Exercise (shoulder elevation and scapular control in seated position)

Forward Lean Exercise on Therapy Ball (scapular pro

Primary outcomes

  1. Archery Shooting Performance Score

    Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks after intervention

    Shooting accuracy will be assessed using a standardized Archery Shooting Score Test. Athletes will perform ten shots at a distance of 18 meters using a standard indoor target with concentric colored scoring rings. The first 4 shots are considered warm-up, and the total score of the final 6 shots will be recorded. Scoring will be based on World Archery guidelines.

  2. Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test

    Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks after intervention

    Upper extremity stability and strength will be evaluated using the Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test. Participants will perform hand touches across a 91.4 cm distance while maintaining a modified push-up position. Each trial will last 15 seconds, and the number of touches will be counted. The test will be repeated three times, with 45-second rest intervals, and the average number of touches will be recorded as the final score.

  3. Upper Quarter Y Balance Test

    Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks after intervention

    Assesses shoulder mobility, proprioception, and balance in three directions (medial, superolateral, inferolateral). The average normalized reach distance (in cm) across three attempts in each direction will be recorded and used to calculate a composite score.

  4. Seated Medicine Ball Throw Test

    Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks after intervention

    Measures upper extremity explosive power by calculating the average distance (in cm) a 2 kg medicine ball is thrown while seated against a wall with back and head contact maintained. The best 3 of 4 trials will be averaged.

  5. Isometric Upper Extremity Muscle Strength

    Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks after intervention

    Strength will be assessed using a digital handheld dynamometer. Measurements will be taken in multiple directions including shoulder flexion, extension, abduction, internal and external rotation; elbow flexion and extension; and wrist extension. A maximum of three trials will be performed for each direction, and the highest value will be recorded in Newtons.

  6. Upper Extremity Proprioception

    Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks after intervention

    Proprioception will be assessed using a digital inclinometer. Participants will be asked to reproduce 90° of shoulder flexion and abduction with their eyes closed. The angular deviation from the target position will be recorded. Lower deviation values will indicate better proprioceptive accuracy.

Study contacts

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

Metehan Yana, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

05072665522

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Karabuk University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

The Effects of Scapular Stabilization Exercises on Shooting Accuracy and Upper Extremity Performance in Traditional Archery Athletes: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Jun 3, 2025
Registry last updated
Jul 10, 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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