Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Observational Ages 18 to 40

Shoulder and trunk movement and muscle activity during the tennis serve in players with shoulder pain

Official title: Kinematics and Muscle Activity During the Tennis Serve and Musculoskeletal Characteristics in Tennis Players With Subacromial Pain Syndrome or History of Shoulder Pain

Run by National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University · NCT07543484 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study tests whether shoulder and trunk movements and shoulder muscle activity during the tennis serve differ between amateur tennis players with subacromial pain syndrome or a history of shoulder pain and those without pain.

More Shoulder Pain trials

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Ages18 Years to 40 Years
SexAll
Enrollment60 (estimated)
SponsorNational Yang Ming Chiao Tung University
Academic / other
Locations1 site (Taipei)
StatusRecruiting
StartedJanuary 29, 2026
Main results expectedJanuary 29, 2027
Study endsJanuary 29, 2027
Registry record updatedApril 22, 2026
Trial IDNCT07543484 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are amateur tennis players (NTRP ≥ 3.5) with ≥ 3 years of playing experience, current or former school team members, training ≥ 4 hours per week, with or without shoulder pain.

Probably not a fit

Players with prior shoulder surgery, recent major trauma, or current musculoskeletal injuries that prevent executing a full serve are not eligible and are unlikely to benefit from participation.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This observational study will recruit about 60 amateur tennis players who train at least 4 hours per week and have an NTRP level of 3.5 or higher. Participants will undergo motion-capture and surface electromyography (EMG) while performing tennis serves to measure shoulder and trunk kinematics and shoulder muscle activation, together with clinical musculoskeletal measurements. Players with subacromial pain syndrome or a history of shoulder pain will be compared to players without such pain to identify movement or activation patterns linked to pain. Exclusion criteria include prior shoulder surgery, recent major trauma, or any current injury that prevents full-skill serving.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the results could help coaches and clinicians design better training and rehabilitation to reduce shoulder pain and lower the risk of future shoulder injuries in tennis players.

How similar studies have gone: Some prior work has examined shoulder kinematics and EMG in overhead athletes, but few studies have specifically examined the tennis serve or players with subacromial pain syndrome, so this approach is only partially explored.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Amateur tennis players
* National Tennis Rating Program (NTRP) should level ≥ 3.5
* Training experience: ≥ 3 years, current or former school team players
* Training volume: ≥ 4 hours/week

Exclusion Criteria:

* Any current musculoskeletal injuries preventing maximum skill execution at the time of testing
* Previously had any form of surgery or trauma
* Patient-reported pain that will inhibit participation in this study

Where it's running

  • No. 155, Sec. 2, Linong St. Beitou Dist., Taipei City 112304, Taiwan
    Taipei, Taiwan
    Recruiting

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How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.