Dynamic Q Angle and Core Endurance in Adolescent Athletes With Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS-QCORE)

Eastern Mediterranean University

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Postural Balance; Athletic Performance

Treatments: Other: Observational Clinical and Biomechanical Assessment

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07328750

TM-FLEX-BAL-2025

Details and patient eligibility

About

This cross-sectional observational study aims to compare trunk mobility, lower extremity flexibility, and functional balance performance across different sports branches in adolescent elite male athletes. Trunk mobility will be assessed using a digital inclinometer in flexion, extension, and rotational movements; hamstring flexibility will be evaluated using the Straight Leg Raise test; and functional balance will be measured using the normalized Y-Balance Test. The study seeks to identify sport-specific biomechanical characteristics and potential indicators related to injury risk and performance adaptations in adolescent competitive athletes.

Full description

Adolescent elite athletes are exposed to sport-specific mechanical loading patterns that may lead to adaptations in trunk mobility, flexibility, and dynamic balance control. These biomechanical characteristics may differ between sports branches due to variations in postural demands, training volume, movement strategies, and neuromuscular control mechanisms. Understanding inter-sport differences may contribute to performance optimization and preventive rehabilitation approaches in youth athletics.

This study is designed as a cross-sectional, observational, and multi-group comparative investigation including elite adolescent male athletes from different sports branches. All participants will undergo standardized clinical and biomechanical assessments. Trunk mobility will be measured using a digital inclinometer in flexion, extension, and rotation at the lumbosacral and thoracolumbar regions. Hamstring flexibility will be assessed using the passive Straight Leg Raise test, and functional balance will be evaluated using the Y-Balance Test composite score normalized to limb length.

The primary objective of the study is to compare functional balance performance across sports branches. Secondary objectives include comparing trunk mobility and hamstring flexibility measures and examining potential associations among these biomechanical parameters. The findings of this study are expected to provide evidence-based insight into sport-specific musculoskeletal characteristics and may support the development of targeted screening and injury-prevention strategies for adolescent elite athletes.

Enrollment: 85 estimated patients

Sex: Male

Ages: 15 to 17 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

1. Male adolescent elite athletes aged 15-17 years
2. Licensed and actively training and competing in their respective sports branch
3. Minimum 3 years of continuous training experience
4. Ability to complete all clinical and biomechanical assessments
5. Written informed consent (parental consent for minors)

Exclusion criteria

1. Acute musculoskeletal injury within the past 3 months
2. Chronic lower extremity or spinal pathology
3. History of orthopedic surgery within the past 6 months
4. Neurological, metabolic, or systemic condition affecting movement or balance
5. Inability to comply with the testing protocol or incomplete data

Trial design

85 participants in 4 patient groups

Wrestling Athletes

Description:

Elite adolescent male wrestlers. No intervention is administered; participants undergo standardized clinical and biomechanical assessments including trunk mobility (digital inclinometer), hamstring flexibility (Straight Leg Raise), and functional balance (Y-Balance Test).

Treatment:

Other: Observational Clinical and Biomechanical Assessment

Sprint Athletes

Description:

Elite adolescent male sprint runners. No intervention is administered; the same standardized assessment protocol is applied, including trunk mobility, hamstring flexibility, and Y-Balance Test performance.

Treatment:

Other: Observational Clinical and Biomechanical Assessment

Canoe/Kayak Athletes

Description:

Elite adolescent male canoe/kayak athletes. No intervention is administered; participants complete the same biomechanical assessment battery as the other cohorts.

Treatment:

Other: Observational Clinical and Biomechanical Assessment

Taekwondo Athletes

Description:

Elite adolescent male taekwondo athletes. No intervention is administered; all assessments are performed using the standardized trunk mobility, flexibility, and functional balance testing protocol.

Treatment:

Other: Observational Clinical and Biomechanical Assessment