Pain in Aging Former Athletes, Master's Athletes, and Nonathletes (NCT07502742) | Clinical Trial Compass
RecruitingNot Applicable
Pain in Aging Former Athletes, Master's Athletes, and Nonathletes
United States90 participantsStarted 2026-03-02
Plain-language 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).
Who can participate
Age range
35 Years – 65 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Exclusion 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
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Pain Tolerance
Timeframe: Baseline (Aim 1a)
2
Pressure Pain Threshold (PPT)
Timeframe: Baseline, Pre-/Post-Exercise at Follow-up Session 1 (approximately 1 week after baseline), and Pre-/Post-Exercise at Follow-up Session 2 (approximately 2 weeks after baseline) (Aim 2)
3
Physical Activity - Step Counts
Timeframe: Remote monitoring for 2 weeks during the study (Aim 1b)
4
Sedentary Behavior
Timeframe: Remote monitoring for 2 weeks during the study (Aim 1b)