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

The inclusion of dryland training and stabilization exercises is crucial for optimizing performance and reducing injury risk in master swimmers. Exercises targeting core stabilization play a significant role in enhancing overall body strength and endurance, thereby improving swimming performance. Shoulder stabilization exercises address common issues faced by swimmers, such as shoulder impingement and rotator cuff injuries, contributing to the prevention of such injuries. Incorporating these exercises into the training regimen enables master swimmers to improve their posture, balance, and strength, resulting in more efficient performance in the water and reduced injury risk. Thus, a comprehensive training approach that includes both aquatic and stabilization exercises is of great importance for sustaining performance and ensuring long-term health in master swimmers.

The aim of this study is to examine the effects of core and shoulder stabilization exercise training on athletic performance and injury risk in master swimmers. Our study is designed to include healthy swimmer participants. A minimum of 34 master swimmers aged between 25 and 50 years will be recruited for the study. Prior to the stabilization training program, participants will undergo several assessments including the Isometric Plank Test (Prone Bridge Test), Closed Kinetic Chain Test, Medicine Ball Throw Test, 50m Freestyle Test, and Functional Movement Screening for injury risk assessment. After initial testing, the control group will perform a 5-minute traditional dryland warm-up focusing on the shoulders, core, and lower extremities before swimming workouts. The experimental group will receive core and shoulder stabilization exercises in addition to the traditional dryland warm-up and routine swimming training for 6 weeks (2 days per week). To assess the effects of the intervention, all tests will be repeated at the beginning, at the end of the 6-week exercise program, and in the 12th week. The literature does not provide information on the relationship between combined core and shoulder stabilization exercises and performance or injury risk in swimmers. This study aims to address this gap in the literature by investigating whether there are significant differences in the results obtained from the exercises and to contribute to future research aimed at enhancing performance and reducing injury risk in athletes.


Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Individuals aged 25-50
* Those who engage in swimming training at least 3-4 days a week
* Volunteers willing to participate in the study
* Licensed competitive swimmers
* Masters swimmers (A competitive swimming class for swimmers aged 25 and older, knowledgeable in swimming techniques and competing according to FINA (International Swimming Federation) rules) (https://www.worldaquatics.com/masters/latest; Accessed: 25.05.2024)

Exclusion Criteria:

* Individuals with chronic diseases affecting orthopedic, neurological, cardiovascular, or other systems
* Individuals with cognitive dysfunction
* Those who regularly engage in strength training
* Non-volunteers unwilling to participate in the study
* Individuals outside the age range of 25-50
* Any condition or discomfort that would hinder the performance of tests
* Having sustained a sports injury affecting swimming performance in the past six months