Cognitive-Based Balance Exercises on the Shooting Performance of Archers

Not Applicable

Active, not recruiting

• Conditions: Archery; Cognitive Performance; Balance Training

• Registration Number: NCT07070427
• Lead Sponsor: Cyprus International University

Brief Summary

The aim of this treatment study is to determine the effects of cognitive-based balance exercises on archers' shooting performance. The study focuses on archers and examines the effects of cognitive-based dynamic and static balance exercises on shooting accuracy.

In this context, the main questions that the study aims to answer are as follows:

* Cognitive-based balance exercises applied to archers have no effect on shooting performance.

* Cognitive-based balance exercises applied to archers have an effect on shooting performance.

The researchers will evaluate the effects of the interventions on shooting performance by comparing the performance differences between archers who apply cognitive-based balance exercises and archers who only do balance exercises.

Participants:

* The control group will apply various balance exercises during the 12-week training period. The study group will apply cognitive-based balance exercises.

* They will be subjected to performance tests that evaluate static balance, dynamic balance and shooting accuracy.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2023-02-15
• Study First Submitted: 2025-05-09
• Status Verified: 2025-07
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-07-08
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-07-08
• Study First Posted: 2025-07-17
• Last Update Posted: 2025-07-17
• Primary Completion: 2025-08-10
• Study Completion: 2025-08-23

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 30

Inclusion Criteria

• Being a licensed archery athlete,
• Having been practicing archery for at least 2 years,
• Participating in a training program at least 2 days a week,
• Using a compound bow,
• Being between the ages of 18-45.

Exclusion Criteria

• Having any diagnosed lung, cardiovascular, neurological, systemic and orthopedic disease,
• Receiving conservative or surgical treatment after trauma in the upper and lower extremities,
• Having had a musculoskeletal injury within the last year,
• Using corticosteroids or any other medication,
• Having a psychological dysfunction.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Exercises Protocol	55-65 minutes	Exercise Protocol In our study, balance training was given twice a week, with at least 2 days of rest for 12 weeks. Warm-up and cool-down (flexibility and stretching exercises) exercises were performed before and after the exercises for 5-10 minutes (min). Each exercise training was completed in approximately 55-65 minutes, including warm-up and cool-down periods. An average of 1-2 minutes of rest was given between each exercise set to reduce the effects of possible fatigue and to be able to concentrate. All participants (study and control groups) performed the same balance exercises, but the experimental group performed cognitive tasks in addition to the balance exercises.
Dual Task Training	10 minutes	Participants were asked to perform cognitive tasks while engaging in balance exercises. They were instructed to count backwards by 7 from a given number while standing statically, recite the months of the year in reverse while standing on one leg, say the number before any given number between 1 and 100 while in a tandem stance (e.g., saying 44 if the physiotherapist says 55), list the days of the week in reverse while standing on tiptoe, and name 5 words (objects or cities) starting with a given letter while reaching in multiple directions on one leg.
Evaluation of Shooting Performance	5 minutes	Shooting performance in archers is assessed based on the score from shooting arrows at a target from a set distance. Tests may vary depending on the bow type, seasonal factors, and athletes' physical characteristics. The shooting distance and target size follow the rules of the Archery Federation. In this study, an accuracy test will be conducted outdoors with a compound bow, 40 cm targets, and a distance of 18 meters. Participants will shoot 5 series of 3 arrow shotwhile standing without support. Scores will be calculated with the help of a referee and a physiotherapist. The test will be applied to all participants before and 12 weeks after the exercise. If an arrow lands on the line, the higher score will be recorded. Participants in the experimental group will also perform cognitive tasks during shooting performance evaluation.
Static and Dynamic Balance Exercise Training	5-6 minutes	BOSU balance ball was used for proprioception sense and static-dynamic balance exercises. Balance exercises were repeated for 30 seconds with eyes closed or open. Static standing with one foot on the other, standing on one foot, standing in a gliding position, rising on tiptoe (double foot), multi-directional reaching on one foot on the BOSU balance ball (right-left foot) were worked on.
Static Balance Evaluation	5 minutes	The Stork Balance Test was used to assess participants' static balance Participants positioned themselves barefoot on the ground with hands on their waists, while the foot on the non-tested side was fixed to the medial region of the opposite knee. They were asked to rise onto their tiptoes on the supporting leg with eyes open and hold the position for 1 minute. The time was recorded, and the test stopped if the foot moved, hands left the waist, or the heel touched the ground. One practice trial and three actual trials were performed. Scores were classified as: 50+ seconds = 5 (excellent), 40-50 seconds = 4 (good), 25-39 seconds = 3 (medium), 10-24 seconds = 2 (weak), and under 10 seconds = 1 (very weak).
Evaluation of Dynamic Balance:	5 minutes	The Y Balance Test will assess participants' dynamic balance in three reaching directions: anterior (A), posteromedial (PM), and posterolateral (PL).; In the setup, three measuring tapes are attached to plastic bars: PM and PL are positioned at 135° relative to A. Participants stand on one leg at the intersection point, keeping their hands on their waist, and reach as far as possible with the opposite foot in the A, PM, and PL directions.; During the test, they must maintain balance, keep the stance foot's heel on the ground, and lightly touch the measuring tape with the reaching foot. After each reach, they return the foot to its starting position without touching the ground. A 30-second rest is given between attempts.; Each participant performs one practice trial and three test trials. If they lose trunk posture or rotate the pelvis, the test is stopped and repeated. Results are recorded in centimeters (cm).
Joint Position Sense	3 minutes	The assessment of shoulder position sense, which was the primary outcome measure of this study, was evaluated using mobile application "Clinometer".
Bilateral Deficit	2 minutes	Bilateral deficit assessment of upper extremity muscle strength was performed using a Baseline Smedley digital handheld dynamometer.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Cyprus International University; 🇹🇷 Mersin, Lefkosa, Turkey