Pain in Aging Former Athletes, Master's Athletes, and Nonathletes
Pain in Athletes INtervention (PAIN): A Randomized Crossover Clinical Trial in Aging Former Athletes, Master's Athletes, and Nonathletes
Marquette University
90 participants
Mar 2, 2026
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
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).
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria3
- Age: 35 years through 65 years
- Current master's athlete, former competitive athletes, or non-athlete control (see details below)
- Ability to participate in exercise and exercise testing based on the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q+)
Exclusion Criteria9
- Currently pregnant or planning to become pregnant during the study
- Currently taking heart rate lowering medications (e.g., betablockers) that would impact exercise testing
- Contraindications to ice such as Raynaud's, cryoglobulinemia, cold urticaria, and/or impaired circulation or sensation
- Fibromyalgia and/or chronic regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
- Myocardial infarction or pulmonary embolism in the last 12 months, active cancer, a pacemaker, or any additional condition or disease that would preclude the individual from being able to perform the tests safely
- Participants will be enrolled into one of the following three mutually exclusive groups according to the following criteria:
- Former Competitive Athlete: Prior participation in competitive sports at the Tier 3 level or above as per McKay et al. (2022): i.e., "national-level representatives who are performing structured and/or periodized training and are developing proficiency in skills required to perform their sport at the highest level; this tier includes individuals participating in Provincial/State or Academy Programs" or higher participation in sport; Not currently participating in any recreational or competitive sports over the last 5 years (Tier 2 or above)
- Master's Athlete: Currently (within the past year) participating in sports at the Tier 2 level or above (i.e., committed to sports-specific training at least 3 times per week with the intent to compete)(McKay et al., 2022)
- Nonathlete Control: No prior participation in sport at the Tier 3 (Highly Trained/National) Level or above and not currently participating in any competitive sports (i.e., Tier 2 or above) (McKay et al., 2022) for at least 5 years
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Interventions
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.
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.
Locations(1)
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NCT07502742