Description

Adolescent elite athletes are exposed to sport-specific mechanical loading patterns that may lead to adaptations in trunk mobility, flexibility, and dynamic balance control. These biomechanical characteristics may differ between sports branches due to variations in postural demands, training volume, movement strategies, and neuromuscular control mechanisms. Understanding inter-sport differences may contribute to performance optimization and preventive rehabilitation approaches in youth athletics.

This study is designed as a cross-sectional, observational, and multi-group comparative investigation including elite adolescent male athletes from different sports branches. All participants will undergo standardized clinical and biomechanical assessments. Trunk mobility will be measured using a digital inclinometer in flexion, extension, and rotation at the lumbosacral and thoracolumbar regions. Hamstring flexibility will be assessed using the passive Straight Leg Raise test, and functional balance will be evaluated using the Y-Balance Test composite score normalized to limb length.

The primary objective of the study is to compare functional balance performance across sports branches. Secondary objectives include comparing trunk mobility and hamstring flexibility measures and examining potential associations among these biomechanical parameters. The findings of this study are expected to provide evidence-based insight into sport-specific musculoskeletal characteristics and may support the development of targeted screening and injury-prevention strategies for adolescent elite athletes.