An interventional study of Core Strength Training (CST) and Technical Sailing Training (TST) in Postural Control, Athletic Performance and Physical Fitness, sponsored by University of Foggia. Not yet recruiting at 1 site in Italy. Open to participants aged 8 Years to 15 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-11-03.
Sponsored by University of Foggia · Not applicable, Interventional, and Prevention
Optimist dinghy sailing is a highly demanding youth watersport characterized by prolonged, high-intensity isometric hiking postures and rapid dynamic weight shifts required to preserve boat trim, balance, and sail power output. The core (lumbar-pelvic-hip complex) functions as the central dynamic link in transferring kinetic forces between the lower limbs and trunk during continuous open-water maneuvers. This study is designed as a 12-week randomized controlled interventional trial to evaluate the effects of a periodized, circuit-based Core Strength Training (CST) program integrated into routine Technical Sailing Training (TST) compared to TST alone. Primary endpoints evaluate adaptations in the anthropometric profile (skinfold thickness, circumferences, muscle mass percentage) and postural control parameters (Center of Pressure displacement and sway velocity measured via computerized force platform posturography) in competitive youth Optimist sailors.
During upwind sailing ("hiking"), Optimist sailors suspend their torso over the windward gunwale, secured only by foot straps over their feet and ankles. This exertion demands sustained isometric contractions of the anterior core, rectus abdominis, quadriceps, and pelvic stabilisers. Inadequate core muscle endurance and deficient postural control compromise boat handling efficiency, accelerate central and peripheral fatigue, and elevate the risk of chronic lower back disorders in young athletes.
Participants will be randomly assigned (1:1 ratio) to either:
Experimental Group (CST+TST): Participating in a 12-week standardized CST program (3 sessions per week) in addition to regular Technical Sailing Training (TST).
Active Control Group (TST Alone): Participating exclusively in the standardized Technical Sailing Training (TST) program (3-4 hours per session, 3 sessions per week).
The CST program progresses systematically across four 2-week meso-blocks, transitioning from foundational bodyweight stability (Weeks 1-6) to advanced dynamic overload and multi-planar surface instability using small fitness tools (Weeks 7-12), such as fit balls, dumbbells, weight discs, resistance bands, Bosu balance trainers, TRX suspension straps, kettlebells, and ankle/wrist weights.
University of Foggia is the lead sponsor of 36 studies on the registry; 4 are open to participants now.
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Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.
Exclusion Criteria:
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Informed consent
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
12-week standardized Core Strength Training (CST) program (3 sessions per week) integrated into routine Technical Sailing Training (TST).
Behavioral: Core Strength Training (CST) · Behavioral: Technical Sailing Training (TST)
12-week standardized Technical Sailing Training (TST) program alone (3-4 hours per session, 3 sessions per week).
Behavioral: Technical Sailing Training (TST)
12-week periodized, circuit-based core training (3 sessions/week, 8 stations, 3 sets, \~30 min/session) progressing from foundational bodyweight stability to dynamic overload and surface instability.
Standardized open-water technical sailing training (3-4 hours/session, 3 sessions/week) focusing on hiking postures, boat-handling drills, tactical training, and balance optimization.
Static Postural Control: Center of Pressure (CoP) Total Path Length Measured via Computerized Force Platform
Total length of the Center of Pressure (CoP) path (expressed in millimeters) recorded during static standing posturography testing under open-eyes and closed-eyes conditions.
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0) and Post-Intervention (Week 12)
Static Postural Control: Center of Pressure (CoP) Mean Velocity Measured via Computerized Force Platform
Mean velocity of Center of Pressure (CoP) displacement (expressed in millimeters per second) recorded during static standing posturography under open-eyes and closed-eyes conditions.
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0) and Post-Intervention (Week 12)
Static Postural Control: Center of Pressure (CoP) 95% Confidence Ellipse Area Measured via Computerized Force Platform
Surface area of the 95% confidence ellipse of CoP sway (expressed in square millimeters) recorded during static standing posturography.
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0) and Post-Intervention (Week 12)
Dynamic Postural Control: Center of Pressure (CoP) Sway Velocity Measured via Computerized Force Platform
Center of Pressure (CoP) mean sway velocity (expressed in millimeters per second) measured during dynamic unstable platform oscillations and unipedal stance.
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0) and Post-Intervention (Week 12)
Skinfold Thickness Sum Measured via Skinfold Caliper
Sum of skinfold thickness measurements (expressed in millimeters) taken at four sites: triceps, subscapular, suprailiac, and abdominal.
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0) and Post-Intervention (Week 12)
Muscle Mass Percentage Measured via Anthropometric Assessment
Percentage of total body muscle mass (expressed as % of total body mass) calculated from anthropometric equations.
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0) and Post-Intervention (Week 12)
Body Fat Mass Percentage Measured via Anthropometric Assessment
Percentage of total body fat mass (expressed as % of total body mass) calculated from skinfold thickness measurements.
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0) and Post-Intervention (Week 12)
Waist Circumference Measured via Anthropometric Tape
Trunk abdominal waist circumference (expressed in centimeters) measured with a flexible metric tape.
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0) and Post-Intervention (Week 12)
Core Muscle Endurance
McGill Protocol Battery: Flexor Endurance Test, Biering-Sørensen Extensor Test, Right \& Left Side Bridge Tests measured in seconds.
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), Mid-Point (Week 6), and Post-Intervention (Week 12)
Dynamic Balance
Y-Balance Test / Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) normalized reach distances (% leg length).
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0) and Post-Intervention (Week 12)
Plan to share: Yes — De-identified individual participant data (anthropometric and posturographic parameters) will be available upon reasonable request to the corresponding author for research purposes.
Supporting information: Study protocol, Statistical analysis plan, Informed consent form, Clinical study report, Analytic code
Time frame: Data will be available starting 6 months following publication for up to 3 years.
Access criteria: Researchers whose proposed use of the data has been approved by an independent review committee.
No publications or documents are linked to this record.
Start is estimated for Dec 2026; primary completion for Apr 2027, 4 months later.
Since we started tracking on Sep 25, 2026, the dates moved once, on Nov 3, 2026: start Sep 2026 → Dec 2026, primary completion Dec 2026 → Apr 2027 and completion Jan 2027 → May 2027.
Earlier changes are on the record history on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.
From the registry record's own update history. This site started tracking changes on Sep 25, 2026; for anything earlier, see the record history on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
This study is not yet recruiting, as verified in Nov 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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