Eccentric Strength Training of Ankle Joint Muscles in Swimming

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of ankle muscle strengthening program of 8 weeks on the underwater dolphin kick performance in young swimmers. This study was a randomized controlled trial. Swimmers was divided in two groups; eccentric ankle muscle-strengthening exercises and control group. The outcome measures were strength of plantar flexors, dorsal flexors, internal rotators, external rotators and 5-meter underwater dolphin kick time.

Detailed Description
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There is limited information on the effectiveness of ankle joint muscles in respect to the knee, hip, back and upper extremity muscles creating the propulsive forces for the feet to transfer the moment force towards water. Therefore, it is aimed to observe the effects of eccentric ankle muscle-strengthening exercises given by means of elastic bands on the Underwater Dolphin Kick performance of young swimmers.

Official Title
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The Effect of Ankle Muscle Strengthening on Underwater Dolphin Kick Performance in Young Swimmers

Conditions
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Resistance Training

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Eccentric exercise


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Having swimming training at least three times per week for the last year and using the proper UDK technique, which was assessed by the swimming trainer of the participants. Exclusion Criteria: having any lower extremity injury or low back pain.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 84 Months
Maximum Age: 155 Months

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Other
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Interventional Model Description: In order to examine the effect of strengthening exercises on performance amongst competitive young swimmers, a randomized controlled trial was undertaken. Swimmers were divided into two groups: Exercise (n=13) and the control groups (n=13). Both groups were assessed for 5-metre underwater swim time and ankle muscle strength before and after 8 weeks of normal swimming training. The exercise group received eccentric ankle strengthening exercises with an elastic band, in addition to their regular swimming training. Participants completed 24 exercises over 8 weeks, with 3 non-consecutive training sessions per week. Dynamic (2 minutes) and static stretching (2 minutes) exercises were performed as before the training session.
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: eccentric exercise group<br>8 weeks of progressive eccentric ankle muscle strengthening program with elastic bands. Regular swimming training program five times a week. | Other: Eccentric exercise<br>* progressive eccentric exercise with elastic band<br>|
| No Intervention: Control group<br>Regular swimming training program five times a week. | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Underwater swim performance. | 5-meter underwater dolphin kick time measurement by using a chronometer. | change in 5-meter underwater dolphin kick time in 8 weeks] | 
| Muscle Strength | Ankle muscle strength measurement (dorsal flexors, plantar flexors, internal rotators, external rotators) by using manual dynamometer. | change in ankle muscle strength in 8 weeks] | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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ankle, swimming, resistance training, youth sports, elastic band