Abstract
Indian clubs (ICs) have re-emerged as a popular training tool for exercise in the fitness industry today but there is limited scientific evidence about the benefits. More research is needed on the various claims made about potential benefits of training with ICs. PURPOSE: To examine the acute effects of a standardized upper-extremity warm-up with and without ICs on shoulder internal rotation (IR) range of motion (ROM), shoulder girdle stability, and perceptual and affective responses. METHODS: Eighteen healthy, resistance-trained adults [Age: 23.5 ± 2.3 yrs; Height: 1.68 ± 0.72 m; Weight: 78.7 ± 13.8 kg; 10 male, 8 female] completed two randomized, counterbalanced sessions: 1) warm-up with ICs and 2) warm-up without external load. Active glenohumeral IR (goniometer), shoulder girdle stability (Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test; CKCUEST), Ratings of Perceived Exertion (RPE), and affective response (Feeling Scale; FS) were assessed pre- and post-intervention. RESULTS: IR ROM of the right shoulder significantly improved following the IC condition compared with the no-load condition (average IR F(1)=8.74, p=.009; ηp²=.34) (maximum IR F(1)=6.303, p=.022; ηp²=.270). CKCUEST repetitions, normalized scores, and power increased significantly from pre- to post-warm-up for both IC and no external load conditions (p=.004, p=.007; p=.004, p=.009; p=.002, p=.009), indicating enhanced scapular stability, though no between-condition differences were observed. RPE increased significantly after both warm-ups (p < .001) and was higher following IC use (p = .003). FS scores were slightly lower after the IC warm-up (p = .03) but remained positive, indicating a pleasant exercise experience. CONCLUSION: Incorporating ICs during a dynamic upper-extremity warm-up acutely enhances shoulder IR mobility, increases perceived exertion, the intensity of exercise was higher with ICs, while maintaining positive affect. These findings suggest that ICs offer an enjoyable and effective means to increase warm-up intensity and mobility demands, and it may provide particular benefit to athletes and individuals engaging in overhead activity.
Recommended Citation
Dontis, Milton; Rothstein, Alex; Garber, Carol Ewing; and Gallo, Paul M.
(2025)
"The Impact of a Standardized Warm-up Using Indian Clubs on Shoulder IR and Girdle Stability,"
International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 15:
Iss.
7, Article 7.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol15/iss7/7