Core strengthening added to shoulder training for faster tennis serves
Official title: The Effect of Adding Core Muscle Training With Shoulder Strengthening in Tennis Players: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Run by Cairo University · NCT07733869 · Data updated 2026-11-12
In healthy tennis players, adding core exercises to shoulder training is tested to see if it makes flat serve speed faster.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 35 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 120 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Cairo University Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Beirut, Beirut and 1 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | June 15, 2026 |
| Main results expected | September 15, 2026 |
| Study ends | September 20, 2026 |
| Registry record updated | July 29, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07733869 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are healthy adults 18-35 with 2+ tennis sessions per week for at least a year and no recent shoulder pain or spine problems.
✕Probably not a fit
Individuals with prior shoulder or spine injuries, current structured core/shoulder training, or recent related surgery may not benefit as much.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This randomized study compares two 12-week training programs in recreational to competitive non-professional tennis players. One group does shoulder strengthening with sham core work, the other adds actual core strengthening to the same shoulder program. Primary outcome is flat serve ball speed; secondary outcomes include serve accuracy and total glenohumeral arc of rotation. Participants are 18-35 years old, training 2 sessions per week, with assessments before and after the program. The study is conducted at Cairo University with collaboration from Beirut Arab University, and uses a 50-minute session format to explore the kinetic-chain impact of core strength on serving performance.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If positive, core training could enhance serve speed and upper-body function, potentially improving overall serving performance for tennis players.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research on core strength and tennis performance has shown mixed results, making this a novel investigation in a controlled setup.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Healthy adults aged 18-35 years * Recreational to competitive non-professional tennis players (currently playing ≥2 sessions/week for ≥1 year; NTRP 3.0-5.0 or equivalent ITN; no professional ranking or tour-level competition history) * Right- or left-hand dominant (serve arm recorded) * Able to perform a full flat serve without pain * Willing to maintain current tennis training routine and refrain from starting other new strength/conditioning programs during the study Exclusion Criteria: * Current or history of shoulder pain/injury in the past 6 months (e.g., rotator cuff pathology, labral injury, impingement) * Low back pain or lumbar spine pathology in the past 6 months * Prior shoulder or spine surgery * Systemic conditions affecting neuromuscular function (e.g., uncontrolled diabetes, neurological disorders) * Pregnancy * Current participation in a structured core or shoulder strengthening program
Where it's running
-
Beirut Arab University
Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon Recruiting -
BAU activities
Beirut, Giza, Lebanon Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Ahmad El Melhat, PhD
- Email: a.melhat@bau.edu.lb
- Phone: +20 111 259 5022
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.