An interventional study of Exercise and Randomized Controlled Trial in TRX Exercise, Bowel Habits and Gastrointestinal Symptoms, sponsored by Aksaray University. Completed at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Open to male participants aged 9 Years to 13 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-03-11.
Sponsored by Aksaray University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Screening
Purpose Exercise-related gastrointestinal complaints are frequently reported in young athletes; however, evidence regarding the effects of resistance-based training modalities on bowel habits is limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of an 8-week TRX program on bowel habits and gastrointestinal system of male child swimmers.
Methods Thirty-two prepubertal male swimmers aged 9-13 years were voluntarily enrolled in the study. Participants were randomly allocated to either the TRX or control group. Both groups were evaluated using the Bristol Stool Scale and a questionnaire assessing defecation habits before and after the 8-week TRX exercise program.
This study was conducted as an 8-week randomized controlled trial with 32 male swimmers. Participants were randomly divided into two groups (TRX, n=16 and Control, n=16) by Random Allocation Software. The TRX group and the control group were administered the Bristol Stool Scale and a questionnaire including defecation habits before and after the 8-week program. The shape of the feces differs according to the duration of their stay in the colon. For this reason, BSFS has been recognized as a reliable and rapid indicator of transit time. According to this scale, individuals' stools are classified into 7 groups, with Form 1 and Form 2 representing slow passage of stool through the colon, Form 3 and Form 4 representing normal passage of stool through the colon, and Form 5 and Form 6 representing rapid passage of stool through the colon and impaired rectal sensitivity.
Before starting the exercise program, the TRX group was subjected to a training session. The exercise protocol, questionnaire and scales were administered in a gym at a temperature of 20-24°C. No ergogenic supplements were given to the athletes during the study and they were asked to follow their normal diet. Since our study aimed to compare the effect of TRX exercise model with constipation and bowel habits, no additional food (apricots, plums, etc.) and medication (laxatives, etc.) were given to the children.
During the study period, all training sessions were performed between 12.00-13.30 (±1 hour), Monday-Wednesday-Friday. The athletes participated in a total of 24 exercise sessions 3 days a week for 8 weeks. Exercise intensity was determined according to TRX stability, vectorial and pendulum principles.
A total of 10 exercises were applied to the participants. These exercises consisted of movements for the upper body, lower body and core. Core exercises include Bicycle Crunch and Knee Tuck; lower extremity exercises include Calf Rise, Hamstring Curl, Lateral Skater With Stick and TRX Squat Jump; and finally upper extremity exercises include Chest Fly, Chest Press, Biceps Curl and TRX Inverted Row. Swimmers were given 45 seconds rest time between sets and 2 minutes rest time between each exercise. The Bristol stool scale and questionnaires including defecation habits were administered before starting the exercise program and after the 8th week of the training program was completed. No side effects or injuries were observed during the training.
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Exclusion Criteria:
The TRX group participated in both the 8-week TRX exercise program and their regular swimming training program. The Bristol Stool Scale and a questionnaire assessing defecation habits were administered before and after the intervention.
Behavioral: Exercise
The control group participated only in their regular swimming training program for 8 weeks. No additional intervention, such as another exercise program, was applied to the control group during the study.
Other: Randomized Controlled Trial
In this model, a specific intervention is applied to the experimental group (TRX and swimming). Measurements are conducted before and after the intervention (pre-test / post-test). In the study, the TRX group performed TRX exercises in addition to their regular swimming training for 8 weeks, three days per week, for 45-60 minutes per session.
Also known as: Trx and Swimming
The control group participated only in their regular swimming training program for 8 weeks. No additional intervention, such as another exercise program, was applied to the control group during the stady.
Also known as: Swimming
Height and Body Weight/Body Mass Index (BMI)
Body Weight;Measured in kilograms (kg). Height; Measured in meters (m). Body Mass Index (BMI) Calculated as body weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared (kg/m²). Body Composition was calculated using the formula kg/m2.
Time frame: Time Frame: 8 Week
Bristol Stool Form Scale
Was developed by Lewis and Heaton at the University of Bristol to assess the colonic rates of individuals. The shape of the feces differs according to the duration of their stay in the colon. For this reason, Bristol Stool Form Scale has been recognized as a reliable and rapid indicator of transit time. According to this scale, individuals' stools are classified into 7 groups, with Form 1 and Form 2 representing slow passage of stool through the colon, Form 3 and Form 4 representing normal passage of stool through the colon, and Form 5 and Form 6 representing rapid passage of stool through the colon and impaired rectal sensitivity.
Time frame: 8 week
Questionnaire on Defecation Habits
Description: Bowel habits and gastrointestinal symptom burden were evaluated using a structured, self-administered questionnaire assessing defecation postponement behavior and underlying reasons, stool frequency and timing, and the severity of common gastrointestinal symptoms, quantified on a 5-point Likert scale (0 = never to 4 = always).
Time frame: 8 week
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