Adolescent Elite Athletes: Trunk Mobility, Lower Extremity Flexibility, and Functional Balance Across Sports

A Cross-Sectional Comparative Study of Trunk Mobility, Hamstring Flexibility, and Functional Balance Across Different Sports in Elite Adolescent Male Athletes

This cross-sectional observational study compared trunk mobility, hamstring flexibility, and dynamic functional balance performance among elite male adolescent athletes aged 15-17 years from different sports branches, including wrestling, sprint athletics, canoe/kayak, and taekwondo.

All assessments were conducted during a single baseline evaluation session using standardized, non-invasive clinical measurement tools. Trunk mobility was assessed using a digital inclinometer, hamstring flexibility was evaluated with the passive Straight Leg Raise test using a goniometer, and dynamic functional balance was measured using the Y-Balance Test composite score on the dominant lower extremity.

The findings of this study provide sport-specific reference data and contribute to the identification of biomechanical characteristics related to mobility, flexibility, and balance in elite adolescent athletes across different sports disciplines.

This study was conducted as a cross-sectional observational investigation in elite male adolescent athletes aged 15-17 years who were actively training and competing in different sports branches, including wrestling, sprint athletics, canoe/kayak, and taekwondo. The study aimed to compare trunk mobility, hamstring flexibility, and dynamic functional balance performance across different sports disciplines and to identify sport-specific biomechanical characteristics in this population.

All participants underwent a single baseline assessment at study enrollment. Trunk mobility was evaluated using a digital inclinometer to measure active spinal flexion, extension, and rotation at the lumbosacral and thoracolumbar regions. Hamstring flexibility was assessed on the dominant lower extremity using the passive Straight Leg Raise test with a clinical goniometer. Dynamic functional balance was assessed using the Y-Balance Test, and a normalized composite score was calculated based on anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral reach distances.

Demographic and training-related characteristics, including age, training history, sport branch, and dominant limb, were recorded for descriptive purposes. Body composition parameters, including body fat percentage and body mass index, were obtained for participant profiling only and were not analyzed as primary study outcomes.

All assessments were non-invasive and were performed by an experienced physiotherapist using standardized clinical protocols. The findings of this study are expected to provide sport-specific reference values, support performance evaluation, and contribute to injury risk awareness and biomechanical profiling in elite adolescent athlete populations.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male adolescent athletes aged 15-17 years
• Licensed and actively training and competing in their respective sports branch
• Minimum of 3 years of continuous training experience
• Ability to complete all clinical and biomechanical assessments
• Written informed consent obtained from the participant and a parent or legal guardian

Exclusion Criteria:

• Acute musculoskeletal injury within the past 3 months
• Chronic lower extremity or spinal pathology
• History of orthopedic surgery within the past 6 months
• Neurological, metabolic, or systemic condition affecting movement or balance
• Inability to comply with the testing protocol or incomplete assessment data