| CTRI Number |
CTRI/2026/02/105042 [Registered on: 27/02/2026] Trial Registered Prospectively |
| Last Modified On: |
26/02/2026 |
| Post Graduate Thesis |
Yes |
| Type of Trial |
Interventional |
|
Type of Study
|
Physiotherapy (Not Including YOGA) |
| Study Design |
Randomized, Parallel Group Trial |
|
Public Title of Study
|
Effects of Kettlebell-Based Resistance Training on Psychological Outcomes in Collegiate Athletes |
|
Scientific Title of Study
|
Effectiveness of kettlebell training on imposter syndrome among collegiate athletes |
| Trial Acronym |
NIL |
|
Secondary IDs if Any
|
| Secondary ID |
Identifier |
| NIL |
NIL |
|
|
Details of Principal Investigator or overall Trial Coordinator (multi-center study)
|
| Name |
Dipayan Paul |
| Designation |
MPT Student |
| Affiliation |
SRM Institute of Science and Technology, |
| Address |
Department of Sports Physiotherapy, SRM College of Physiotherapy, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, SRM Nagar, Kattankulathur – 603203, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu, India.
Kancheepuram
TAMIL NADU
603203
India |
| Phone |
09903613072 |
| Fax |
|
| Email |
dipayanpaul247@gmail.com |
|
Details of Contact Person
Scientific Query
|
| Name |
Dipayan Paul |
| Designation |
MPT Student |
| Affiliation |
SRM Institute of Science and Technology, |
| Address |
Department of Sports Physiotherapy, SRM College of Physiotherapy, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, SRM Nagar, Kattankulathur – 603203, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu, India
Kancheepuram
TAMIL NADU
603203
India |
| Phone |
09903613072 |
| Fax |
|
| Email |
dipayanpaul247@gmail.com |
|
Details of Contact Person
Public Query
|
| Name |
Dipayan Paul |
| Designation |
MPT Student |
| Affiliation |
SRM Institute of Science and Technology, |
| Address |
Department of Sports Physiotherapy, SRM College of Physiotherapy, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, SRM Nagar, Kattankulathur – 603203, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu, India
Kancheepuram
TAMIL NADU
603203
India |
| Phone |
09903613072 |
| Fax |
|
| Email |
dipayanpaul247@gmail.com |
|
|
Source of Monetary or Material Support
|
|
|
Primary Sponsor
|
| Name |
Dipayan Paul |
| Address |
SRM College of Physiotherapy.
SRM Institute of Science and Technology,
SRM Nagar, Kattankulathur - 603 203,
Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu, |
| Type of Sponsor |
Other [Self] |
|
|
Details of Secondary Sponsor
|
|
|
Countries of Recruitment
|
India |
|
Sites of Study
|
| No of Sites = 1 |
| Name of Principal
Investigator |
Name of Site |
Site Address |
Phone/Fax/Email |
| Dr MANIKUMAR M |
Directorate of Sports, SRM Institute of Science and Technology |
Directorate of Sports, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, SRM Nagar, Kattankulathur – 603203, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu, India
Kancheepuram
TAMIL NADU |
8939164922
manikumm@srmist.edu.in |
|
|
Details of Ethics Committee
|
| No of Ethics Committees= 1 |
| Name of Committee |
Approval Status |
| INSTITUTIONAL ETHICS COMMITTEE, SRM MEDICAL COLLEGE HOSPITAL & RESEARCH CENTRE |
Approved |
|
|
Regulatory Clearance Status from DCGI
|
|
|
Health Condition / Problems Studied
|
| Health Type |
Condition |
| Healthy Human Volunteers |
Collegiate athletes aged 18-25 years both men and women
|
|
|
Intervention / Comparator Agent
|
| Type |
Name |
Details |
| Comparator Agent |
CONVENTIONAL STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING TRAINING |
Participants in the control group will continue their routine conventional strength and conditioning training program as prescribed by the university sports department. The training will be conducted three sessions per week for 6 weeks, matching the frequency and duration of the experimental group. Each session will last approximately 10–20 minutes and may include general warm-up exercises, resistance training (bodyweight exercises, machine-based or free-weight exercises), cardiovascular conditioning, and sport-specific drills as per existing training schedules. No kettlebell-based exercises will be included in the control group protocol. The training load and progression will follow standard university training guidelines.The total duration of the comparator intervention will be 6 weeks |
| Intervention |
KETTLEBELL TRAINING |
The kettlebell training protocol is designed as a structured, progressive resistance program based on the DAPRE (Daily Adjustable Progressive Resistive Exercise) principle. The intervention will be conducted for 6 weeks, with participants performing three supervised sessions per week. Each session will last approximately 10–20 minutes and will include a warm-up phase (2–3 minutes), a kettlebell circuit (8–15 minutes), and a cool-down phase (2 minutes).
The warm-up will consist of dynamic mobility and activation exercises such as arm circles, hip rotations, bodyweight squats, and light jogging on the spot to prepare the musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems.
The main training component will follow a progressive structure over six weeks. During Weeks 1–2, participants will perform foundational movements including kettlebell swings (2×12), goblet squats (2×10), overhead press (2×8 each arm), and farmer’s carry (2×20 m), focusing on correct form and controlled movement. In Weeks 3–4, volume and intensity will increase (3 sets), and additional exercises such as lunges with kettlebell (front rack) and Russian twists will be introduced to enhance stability and core engagement. In Weeks 5–6, advanced integrated movements such as goblet squat to press (thruster), modified Turkish get-ups, and plank with kettlebell drag will be incorporated to promote full-body coordination and functional strength.
The cool-down will include static stretching of major muscle groups (hamstrings, quadriceps, shoulders, and back) along with deep breathing exercises to promote relaxation and psychological recovery.
Initial loads will begin with light kettlebells (8–12 kg for men and 6–8 kg for women, adjusted according to individual capacity). Resistance or repetitions will be progressively increased each week while ensuring proper technique and supervision to prevent injury. The total duration of the kettlebell training intervention will be 6 weeks. |
|
|
Inclusion Criteria
|
| Age From |
18.00 Year(s) |
| Age To |
25.00 Year(s) |
| Gender |
Both |
| Details |
Willing to participate in kettlebell training.
Collegiate athletes aged 18-25 years.
Currently enrolled in university sports programs.
Showing imposter syndrome symptoms based on screening or Clance Scale score.
|
|
| ExclusionCriteria |
| Details |
Diagnosed psychological disorders under treatment.
Physical injuries or conditions limiting kettlebell exercise.
Regular kettlebell training within past 6 months.
Unwilling to consent or follow study protocol.
|
|
|
Method of Generating Random Sequence
|
Computer generated randomization |
|
Method of Concealment
|
Sequentially numbered, sealed, opaque envelopes |
|
Blinding/Masking
|
Open Label |
|
Primary Outcome
|
| Outcome |
TimePoints |
| CLANCE IMPOSTER PHENOMENON SCALE (CIPS) |
Baseline (3 weeks) and post intervention (6 weeks) |
|
|
Secondary Outcome
|
| Outcome |
TimePoints |
| NIL |
NIL |
|
|
Target Sample Size
|
Total Sample Size="60"
Sample Size from India="60"
Final Enrollment numbers achieved (Total)= "Applicable only for Completed/Terminated trials"
Final Enrollment numbers achieved (India)="Applicable only for Completed/Terminated trials" |
|
Phase of Trial
|
N/A |
|
Date of First Enrollment (India)
|
16/03/2026 |
| Date of Study Completion (India) |
Applicable only for Completed/Terminated trials |
| Date of First Enrollment (Global) |
Date Missing |
| Date of Study Completion (Global) |
Applicable only for Completed/Terminated trials |
|
Estimated Duration of Trial
|
Years="0"
Months="10"
Days="0" |
|
Recruitment Status of Trial (Global)
|
Not Yet Recruiting |
| Recruitment Status of Trial (India) |
Not Yet Recruiting |
|
Publication Details
|
N/A |
|
Individual Participant Data (IPD) Sharing Statement
|
Will individual participant data (IPD) be shared publicly (including data dictionaries)?
Response - NO
|
|
Brief Summary
|
Imposter syndrome is a psychological condition characterized by persistent self-doubt, fear of being exposed as a fraud, and difficulty internalizing achievements despite objective success. Collegiate athletes are particularly vulnerable due to competitive environments, performance pressure, and constant comparison with peers. Approximately 22–30% of collegiate athletes report significant imposter syndrome symptoms, which may negatively impact confidence, psychological well-being, and athletic performance. While psychological therapies such as counseling and cognitive behavioral therapy are commonly used, exercise-based interventions targeting mental health remain underexplored.
Kettlebell training is a dynamic, functional resistance exercise method that integrates strength, endurance, cardiovascular fitness, and neuromuscular coordination through full-body movements such as swings, squats, presses, lunges, and Turkish get-ups. Beyond physical benefits, structured resistance training may enhance self-efficacy, stress regulation, and overall psychological well-being. However, limited research has examined the specific impact of kettlebell training on imposter syndrome among collegiate athletes.
This experimental pre–post study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a 6-week kettlebell training program in reducing imposter syndrome levels among collegiate athletes aged 18–25 years. Sixty participants with moderate to high scores on the Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale (CIPS) will be recruited and randomly allocated into an experimental group (n=30) and a control group (n=30). The experimental group will undergo supervised kettlebell training three times per week for 6 weeks in addition to conventional sports training, while the control group will continue conventional training alone.
Imposter syndrome levels will be assessed before and after the intervention using CIPS. The primary outcome will be the change in imposter syndrome scores after 6 weeks. This study aims to explore kettlebell training as a feasible, non-pharmacological intervention to enhance psychological well-being among collegiate athletes. |