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

NCT07502742 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: IRB#5050
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 90
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief 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. 1.How do former athletes, master's athletes, and nonathletes experience pain?
2. 2.How do different types of moderate-intensity exercise (strength versus aerobic exercise) influence pain in former athletes, master's athletes, and nonathletes?
3. 3.Baseline testing including assessments of strength, cardiorespiratory fitness, and pain;
4. 4.Strength exercise: pain assessments will occur before and after moderate-intensity strength training exercise;
5. 5.Aerobic exercise: pain assessments will occur before and after moderate-intensity aerobic exercise.

Conditions

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

Keywords

Former Athlete; Master's Athlete; Pain; Quantitative Sensory Testing; Randomized Crossover Clinical Trial; Exercise; Rehabilitation; Aging; Sport

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Pain Tolerance

  The maximum stimulus intensity that the participant can tolerate will be measured by placing a thermode (Q-Sense, Medoc) on the ventral forearm. Three trials will be completed with the baseline temperature set at 35°C that increases at a rate of 1°/s with a maximum temperature of 50°C. Participants will be asked to press a timing device when they can no longer tolerate the temperature (i.e., pain tolerance), and this temperature will be recorded as the maximum stimulus intensity.

  Baseline (Aim 1a)

• Pressure Pain Threshold (PPT)

  Pressure Pain Thresholds (PPTs) will be used to measure group differences in pain sensitivity at baseline and the hypoalgesic response (increase in PPTs) during the exercise sessions with a pressure algometer (Algomed, Medoc) at the exercising limb, contralateral limb, and systemically at the right upper trapezius muscle. Two trials separated by a 10-second interval will be performed at each site with a 1cm\^2 rubber tip at a rate of 50 kPA/sec. Participants will be instructed to press a timing device when the pressure first changes to pain (i.e., pain threshold). Practice trials with be performed on the fourth digit fingernail bed prior to formal assessment at quad/trap and order will be randomized. The change scores from pre- to post-strength exercise and from pre- to post-aerobic exercise will be used as the primary outcome in Aim 2.

  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)

• Physical Activity - Step Counts

  Physical activity (PA) will be monitored continuously using an activPAL activity monitor. Step counts will be recorded as the average number of steps taken per day.

  Remote monitoring for 2 weeks during the study (Aim 1b)

• Sedentary Behavior

  Total sedentary behavior will be assessed using an activPAL activity monitor and recorded as the average daily amount of time in wakeful sedentary behavior (hours:minutes).

  Remote monitoring for 2 weeks during the study (Aim 1b)

Secondary Outcomes (7)

• Pain Intensity (pain perception)

  Baseline

• Michigan Body Map for Pain (pain perception)

  Baseline

• Temporal Summation of Pain (TSP)

  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)

• Condition Pain Modulation (CPM)

  Baseline

• Numeric Pain Rating Scale

  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)

Other Outcomes (7)

• Rating of Perceived Exertion

  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)

• Knee Extension Strength

  Baseline

• Cardiorespiratory Fitness Testing

  Baseline

Study Arms (3)

Former Competitive Athletes

EXPERIMENTAL

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.

Other: Moderate-Intensity Strength Exercise Intervention; Other: Moderate-Intensity Aerobic Exercise Intervention

Master's Athletes

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

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.

Other: Moderate-Intensity Strength Exercise Intervention; Other: Moderate-Intensity Aerobic Exercise Intervention

Nonathlete Controls

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

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.

Other: Moderate-Intensity Strength Exercise Intervention; Other: Moderate-Intensity Aerobic Exercise Intervention

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.

Former Competitive Athletes; Master's Athletes; Nonathlete Controls

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.

Former Competitive Athletes; Master's Athletes; Nonathlete Controls

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 35 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• 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+)

You may not qualify if:

• 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

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Marquette University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Marquette University

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53233, United States

RECRUITING

Related Publications (16)

• Drawer S, Fuller CW. Propensity for osteoarthritis and lower limb joint pain in retired professional soccer players. Br J Sports Med. 2001 Dec;35(6):402-8. doi: 10.1136/bjsm.35.6.402.

  PMID: 11726474 BACKGROUND

• Wewege MA, Jones MD. Exercise-Induced Hypoalgesia in Healthy Individuals and People With Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Pain. 2021 Jan;22(1):21-31. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2020.04.003. Epub 2020 Jun 26.

  PMID: 32599154 BACKGROUND

• Geisler M, Herbsleb M, de la Cruz F, von Au S, Schumann A, Croy I, Bar KJ. Profound neuronal differences during exercise-induced hypoalgesia between athletes and non-athletes revealed by functional near-infrared spectroscopy. J Physiol. 2026 Feb 26. doi: 10.1113/JP289766. Online ahead of print.

  PMID: 41749046 BACKGROUND

• Purcell C, Duignan C, Fullen BM, Ryan S, Ward T, Caulfield B. Comprehensive assessment and classification of upper and lower limb pain in athletes: a scoping review. Br J Sports Med. 2023 May;57(9):535-542. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2022-106380. Epub 2023 Feb 9.

  PMID: 36759138 BACKGROUND

• Simon JE, Docherty CL. The Impact of Previous Athletic Experience on Current Physical Fitness in Former Collegiate Athletes and Noncollegiate Athletes. Sports Health. 2017 Sep/Oct;9(5):462-468. doi: 10.1177/1941738117705311. Epub 2017 May 5.

  PMID: 28475420 BACKGROUND

• Schwenk TL, Gorenflo DW, Dopp RR, Hipple E. Depression and pain in retired professional football players. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2007 Apr;39(4):599-605. doi: 10.1249/mss.0b013e31802fa679.

  PMID: 17414796 BACKGROUND

• Simon JE, Lorence M, Docherty CL. Health-Related Quality of Life in Former National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Collegiate Athletes Compared With Noncollegiate Athletes: A 5-Year Follow-Up. J Athl Train. 2021 Mar 1;56(3):331-338. doi: 10.4085/107-20. Epub 2021 Feb 18.

  PMID: 33150419 BACKGROUND

• Dzau VJ, Pizzo PA. Relieving pain in America: insights from an Institute of Medicine committee. JAMA. 2014 Oct 15;312(15):1507-8. doi: 10.1001/jama.2014.12986. No abstract available.

  PMID: 25321905 BACKGROUND

• Lachman ME. Mind the Gap in the Middle: A Call to Study Midlife. Res Hum Dev. 2015;12(3-4):327-334. doi: 10.1080/15427609.2015.1068048. Epub 2015 Aug 27.

  PMID: 26848288 BACKGROUND

• Street JH, Larson AM, de Guia R, Bansal N, Hunter SK, Capin JJ. The paradox of sport: adolescent athletes are highly sedentary across competition, practice, and rest days. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2026 Jan 22;18(1):86. doi: 10.1186/s13102-026-01539-6.

  PMID: 41572326 BACKGROUND

• Piacentine LB, Wolf TL, Capin JJ. Transitioning to life after sport: empowering former college varsity athletes to live more healthfully. Front Sports Act Living. 2026 Jan 12;7:1713432. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2025.1713432. eCollection 2025.

  PMID: 41602799 BACKGROUND

• Larson A, Street JH, de Guia R, Capin JJ. Sport training day affects adolescent athletes' sleep schedules. Front Sports Act Living. 2026 Jan 27;7:1731173. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2025.1731173. eCollection 2025.

  PMID: 41675555 BACKGROUND

• Capin JJ, Ridgers ND, Street JH, Fial A, Tomkinson GR. Activity levels across the intensity spectrum in athletes: a systematic review protocol. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med. 2024 Aug 16;10(3):e002148. doi: 10.1136/bmjsem-2024-002148. eCollection 2024.

  PMID: 39161555 BACKGROUND

• Street JH, Boos ZP, Fial A, Lennon SL, Smith CS, Creasy SA, Hunter SK, Farquhar WB, Capin JJ. Long-term function, body composition and cardiometabolic health in midlife former athletes: a scoping review. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med. 2023 Oct 27;9(4):e001605. doi: 10.1136/bmjsem-2023-001605. eCollection 2023.

  PMID: 37920279 BACKGROUND

• Capin JJ, Wolf TL, Street JH, Smith CS, Lennon SL, Farquhar WB, Hunter SK, Piacentine LB. Midlife health crisis of former competitive athletes: dissecting their experiences via qualitative study. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med. 2024 May 9;10(2):e001956. doi: 10.1136/bmjsem-2024-001956. eCollection 2024.

  PMID: 38736641 BACKGROUND

• McKay AKA, Stellingwerff T, Smith ES, Martin DT, Mujika I, Goosey-Tolfrey VL, Sheppard J, Burke LM. Defining Training and Performance Caliber: A Participant Classification Framework. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2022 Feb 1;17(2):317-331. doi: 10.1123/ijspp.2021-0451. Epub 2022 Dec 29.

  PMID: 34965513 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Pain; Agnosia; Motor Activity

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Perceptual Disorders; Neurobehavioral Manifestations; Nervous System Diseases; Behavior

Study Officials

• Jacob J Capin, DPT, PhD

  Marquette University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Jacob J Capin, DPT, PhD

CONTACT

414-288-7865; jacob.capin@marquette.edu

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 15, 2026
• First Posted: March 31, 2026
• Study Start: March 2, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): May 1, 2028
• Study Completion (Estimated): May 1, 2028
• Last Updated: March 31, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share

Locations

US (1)