Kettlebell training for rotator cuff–related shoulder pain

Investigation of the Effects of Kettlebell Training on Pain, Function and Performance in Rotator Cuff-Related Shoulder Pain; Randomized Controlled Trial.

This trial tests whether 8 weeks of kettlebell training can reduce pain and improve function and performance in people with rotator cuff–related shoulder pain.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 38 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 35 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Hacettepe University (Academic / other)
• Locations: 2 sites (Ankara and 1 other locations)
• Trial ID: NCT07289893 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This interventional trial enrolls people with rotator cuff–related shoulder pain and assigns them to 8 weeks of kettlebell exercises or a standard exercise rehabilitation program. Pain, shoulder-specific function measures, and performance tests are collected before and after the intervention to compare effects between groups. Eligible participants are typically active athletes with at least 3 years of sports participation and a Tegner Activity Scale score of 5 or higher, and may include those with rotator cuff tendinopathy or small tears (<1 cm). The study excludes individuals with prior shoulder fracture or surgery, adhesive capsulitis, major instability, limited passive range of motion, or neurologic signs.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are active amateurs or professionals with at least 3 years of sports participation, Tegner Activity Scale ≥5, shoulder pain for at least 6 weeks with pain ≥3/10 and symptoms worsening with resisted flexion, abduction, or external rotation, and diagnoses such as rotator cuff tendinopathy or small tears (<1 cm).

Not a fit: Patients with prior shoulder fracture or surgery, adhesive capsulitis, significant passive range-of-motion loss, major multidirectional instability, or neurological signs are excluded and unlikely to benefit from this protocol.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, kettlebell training could provide an effective, exercise-based option to reduce pain and improve shoulder function for active people with rotator cuff–related shoulder problems.

How similar studies have performed: High-quality evidence specifically on kettlebell training for rotator cuff pain is limited, though exercise-based rehabilitation approaches for rotator cuff conditions have shown modest benefits in prior studies.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Individuals who are willing to participate and have been doing licensed/unlicensed amateur or professional sports for at least 3 years,
* Individuals with Tegner Activity Scale ≥ 5,
* A history of shoulder pain of at least 6 weeks,
* At least 3 points measured using the 0 to 10 point Numerical Pain Scale (NPS),
* Shoulder pain that worsens with resisted shoulder flexion, abduction or external rotation,
* Rotator cuff tendinopathies,
* Tears smaller than 1 cm,
* Secondary shoulder instability without major trauma (due to rotator cuff muscle weakness, etc.)

Exclusion Criteria:

* History of fracture and/or surgery in the shoulder area,
* Adhesive capsulitis,
* Those with passive joint range of motion deficit,
* Individuals with a positive Apprehension Test and/or Sulcus Sign test and multidirectional shoulder instability,
* Numbness or tingling in the upper extremity with cervical compression test or upper extremity compression test,
* Systemic or neurological disease,
* Corticosteroid injection within 3 months before the intervention,
* Physical therapy in the 6 months before the intervention,
* Those with a history of dislocation and subluxation,
* Those who are pregnant,
* Those who did not participate in the study for 2 consecutive sessions

Where this trial is running

Ankara and 1 other locations

• Hacettepe University — Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye) (Not_yet_recruiting)
• Fenerbahce University — Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye) (Recruiting)

Conditions Shoulder Pain; Rotator Cuff Injuries; Kettlebell Exercises