Isometric Core Training and Swimming Performance in Adolescent Amputee Swimmers

Adolescent amputee swimmers often experience challenges related to trunk stabilization, postural control, and efficient force transfer during swimming because of asymmetric biomechanics associated with limb loss. Core muscle training has been proposed as a potential dryland conditioning strategy to support swimming performance and trunk endurance in Para-swimmers; however, evidence from randomized controlled trials in adolescent amputee swimmers remains limited. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of a 12-week supervised isometric core training program on trunk muscular endurance and 50-meter freestyle swimming performance in adolescent amputee swimmers. Participants will be randomly assigned to either an experimental group receiving additional isometric core training together with standard swimming training or a control group performing standard swimming training only. Primary outcome measures will include 50-meter freestyle performance time. Secondary outcome measures will include trunk muscular endurance assessments such as the 20-second sit-up test, 20-second reverse sit-up test, supine bent-knee leg hold, and prone trunk-extension hold. Assessments will be performed before and after the 12-week intervention period. The findings of this study may contribute to the development of evidence-based dryland conditioning programs for adolescent Para-swimmers with limb amputations.