Pain in Aging Former Athletes, Master's Athletes, and Nonathletes

Part of paid clinical trials in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Sponsor
Marquette University
Study ID
NCT07502742
Status
Recruiting
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Conditions

  • Aerobic Exercise
  • Aging
  • Athlete
  • Exercise Training
  • Pain
  • Pain Management
  • Quality of Life
  • Sports
  • Sports Medicine
  • Strength Training
  • Strength Training Effects

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
35 Years - 65 Years
Healthy Volunteers
Accepted

Interventions

  • Moderate-Intensity Strength Exercise Intervention — OTHER
    Participants will perform 10 isometric knee extension repetitions unilaterally on both sides separately for 10 seconds with each repetition at 50% of their maximal volitional contraction (MVC) on an electromechanical dynamometer. Participants will be provided 50 seconds rest in between repetitions. Numeric pain intensity ratings (0-10) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) will be recorded before, during, and following exercise. Quantitative Sensory Testing (i.e., PPTs and TSP) will be assessed before and after the exercise intervention. If there is a more affected limb with regards to pain, the less affected limb will be exercised first. If there is not a more affected limb, side will be randomized. A warm up will be performed prior to the intervention.
  • Moderate-Intensity Aerobic Exercise Intervention — OTHER
    Participants will complete aerobic exercise at 40-59% of their heart rate reserve (HRR) through the mode of incline walking on a treadmill for 30 minutes with a 2 -minute warm up and 2-minute cool down with a target intensity of \~50% HRR. Adjustments will be made to the incline and speed throughout the intervention as needed to maintain 40-59% HRR range. Numeric pain intensity ratings (0-10) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) will be recorded before, during, and following exercise. Quantitative Sensory Testing (i.e., PPTs and TSP) will be assessed before and after the exercise intervention. Heart rate will be measured throughout the walking intervention to ensure the participant is within the targeted range for moderate intensity; pre- and post-aerobic intervention heart rate and blood pressure will be taken.

Study Details

The goal of this clinical trial is to determine how male and female former athletes experience pain and respond to moderate-intensity exercise (strength versus aerobic) compared with both current master's athletes and nonathletes. The main questions this study aims to address are: 1. How do former athletes, master's athletes, and nonathletes experience pain? 2. How do different types of moderate-intensity exercise (strength versus aerobic exercise) influence pain in former athletes, master's athletes, and nonathletes? Participants will complete 3 different testing sessions: 1. Baseline testing including assessments of strength, cardiorespiratory fitness, and pain; 2. Strength exercise: pain assessments will occur before and after moderate-intensity strength training exercise; 3. Aerobic exercise: pain assessments will occur before and after moderate-intensity aerobic exercise. There will be a washout period of approximately one week or greater between each of the three different testing sessions. The order of conditions (strength versus aerobic exercise) will be randomized (crossover randomized trial design).

Key Dates

Start date
Mar 2, 2026
Status verified
Mar 2026
Primary completion
May 31, 2028
Completion
May 31, 2028

Study Design

Enrollment
90 participants (estimated)
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
TREATMENT

Arms

  • Experimental: Former Competitive Athletes
    Former competitive athletes will complete baseline testing as well as two separate experimental conditions in randomized condition order: 1) moderate-intensity strength exercise intervention; and 2) moderate-intensity aerobic exercise intervention.
  • Active Comparator: Master's Athletes
    Master's Athletes will complete baseline testing as well as two separate experimental conditions in randomized condition order: 1) moderate-intensity strength exercise intervention; and 2) moderate-intensity aerobic exercise intervention.
  • Active Comparator: Nonathlete Controls
    Nonathlete Controls will complete baseline testing as well as two separate experimental conditions in randomized condition order: 1) moderate-intensity strength exercise intervention; and 2) moderate-intensity aerobic exercise intervention.

Primary Outcome Measure

Pain Tolerance [ Time Frame: Baseline (Aim 1a) ]

Central Contacts

Locations (1)

FacilityCityStateZIPSite coordinators
Marquette UniversityMilwaukeeWisconsin53233
Jacob J Capin, DPT, PhD
[email protected]
4142887865

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By research site
Marquette University· Milwaukee, WI

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