The GORUN Study: Gradual Onset of RUNning and Knee Joint Health in Novice Runners

NCT07528885 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: H26-00511
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 80
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a debilitating disease affecting millions worldwide. Exercise is a core treatment for knee OA, and is advocated by all clinical guidelines. Running is a common exercise that is accessible and evokes a number of positive physical and psychological benefits. However, the appropriateness of recreational running in the presence of knee OA is unclear. A growing literature base appears to suggest that running may not be deleterious to the health - especially at the knee joint - of people with knee OA. Our recent research has focused on examining a number of health outcomes relevant to knee OA in older individuals with knee OA, but has been limited to experienced runners. This study will address that limitation by focusing on how novice (new) runners respond to a new running program.

Conditions

Osteoarthritis (OA) of the Knee

Keywords

running; exercise

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• T2 relaxation time - medial tibia

  Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the knee cartilage will be used to measure the exponential decay/dephasing of transverse magnetization of protons, known as T2 relaxation time (measured in milliseconds). Cartilage will be segmented into a number of regions of interest, with relaxation times calculated separately for each region of interest.

  Baseline and 6 months

• T2 relaxation time - medial femur

  Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the knee cartilage will be used to measure the exponential decay/dephasing of transverse magnetization of protons, known as T2 relaxation time (measured in milliseconds). Cartilage will be segmented into a number of regions of interest, with relaxation times calculated separately for each region of interest.

  Baseline and 6 months

• T2 relaxation time - patella

  Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the knee cartilage will be used to measure the exponential decay/dephasing of transverse magnetization of protons, known as T2 relaxation time (measured in milliseconds). Cartilage will be segmented into a number of regions of interest, with relaxation times calculated separately for each region of interest.

  Baseline and 6 months

Secondary Outcomes (5)

• T1rho relaxation time - medial tibia

  Baseline and 6 months

• T1rho relaxation time - medial femur

  Baseline and 6 months

• T1rho relaxation time - patella

  Baseline and 6 months

• Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) - pain subscale

  Baseline and 6 months

• Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) - function in daily living subscale

  Baseline and 6 months

Other Outcomes (2)

• Numerical rating scale of pain

  Baseline and 6 months

• Knee joint contact force impulse during running

  Baseline and 6 months

Study Arms (2)

Healthy control

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Pain-free Individuals without radiographic evidence of knee osteoarthritis who will receive the running program intervention

Behavioral: Running volume increase

Knee osteoarthritis group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Individuals with knee pain and radiographic evidence of knee osteoarthritis who will receive the running program intervention

Behavioral: Running volume increase

Interventions

Running volume increase BEHAVIORAL

Participants will receive a 6-month running program focusing on gradual increases in weekly running volume (no more than 5% per week, on average). For the purpose of this study, there will be no specific instructions on 'how' to run; rather, participants will simply be instructed on 'how much' to run.

Healthy control; Knee osteoarthritis group

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• have been running consistently for no more than six months at time of enrolment, with a cumulative weekly volume of less than 5 kilometres OR have yet to take up recreational running consistently
• are comfortable running and walking on a treadmill for at least 30 minutes
• have definitive knee OA as diagnosed using x-rays
• report having experienced frequent knee pain over the past 3 months
• have no evidence of knee OA based on x-rays
• have had pain-free knees for at least the past 3 months

You may not qualify if:

• have an inflammatory arthritic condition (e.g. gout or rheumatoid arthritis)
• have a presence of any health condition (other than OA in the knee OA group) affecting normal movement or that precludes engaging in moderate to high impact activities such as running
• cannot safely fit into the MRI scanner
• presence of metallic implants (including pace makers, brain aneurysm clips, stents, cochlear implants, artificial heart valves, and prostheses)
• recent surgery or tattoos within the past 6 weeks
• current or possible pregnancy
• electrical stimulator for nerves or bones
• infusion pumps
• shrapnel or other metallic fragments
• non-removable metallic jewellry

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of British Columbia: lead

Study Sites (1)

Motion Analysis and Biofeedback Laboratory, The University of British Columbia

Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z3, Canada

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Osteoarthritis; Motor Activity

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Arthritis; Joint Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Rheumatic Diseases; Behavior

Study Officials

• Michael Hunt, PT, PhD

  The University of British Columbia

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Natasha Krowchuk, BSc

CONTACT

604-822-7948; natasha.krowchuk@ubc.ca

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NON RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 28, 2026
• First Posted: April 14, 2026
• Study Start: May 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2030
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2030
• Last Updated: April 14, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

CA (1)