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NCT Number: NCT07528885

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

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.

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Key information

Conditions

Osteoarthritis (OA) of the Knee Arthritis Behavior Joint Diseases Motor Activity Musculoskeletal Diseases Osteoarthritis Rheumatic Diseases

Age range

35 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Motion Analysis and Biofeedback Laboratory, The University of British Columbia

Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z3, Canada

Location contact

Alexander Rauscher, PhD

SUB_INVESTIGATOR

Jacqueline Whittaker, PT, PhD

SUB_INVESTIGATOR

Jean-Francois Esculier, PT, PhD

SUB_INVESTIGATOR

Jesse Charlton, PhD

SUB_INVESTIGATOR

Justin Losciale, PT, PhD

SUB_INVESTIGATOR

Michael A Hunt, PT, PhD

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Natasha Krowchuk, BSc

CONTACT

[email protected]

604-822-7948

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

(all):

  • 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

Inclusion criteria

(knee osteoarthritis (OA) group):

  • have definitive knee OA as diagnosed using x-rays
  • report having experienced frequent knee pain over the past 3 months

Inclusion criteria

(Control group):

  • have no evidence of knee OA based on x-rays
  • have had pain-free knees for at least the past 3 months

Exclusion criteria

(all):

  • 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

Additionally, exclusion criteria based on MRI safety:

  • 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

Treatment and study plan

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.

Primary outcomes

  1. T2 relaxation time - medial tibia

    Time frame: Baseline and 6 months

    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.

  2. T2 relaxation time - medial femur

    Time frame: Baseline and 6 months

    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.

  3. T2 relaxation time - patella

    Time frame: Baseline and 6 months

    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.

Secondary outcomes

  1. T1rho relaxation time - medial tibia

    Time frame: Baseline and 6 months

    Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the knee cartilage will be used to assess the interaction between water and macromolecules. T1rho relaxation time (measured in milliseconds) measures how fast water protons spin-locked to macromolecules leave this locked state. Cartilage will be segmented into a number of regions of interest, with relaxation times calculated separately for each region of interest.

  2. T1rho relaxation time - medial femur

    Time frame: Baseline and 6 months

    Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the knee cartilage will be used to assess the interaction between water and macromolecules. T1rho relaxation time (measured in milliseconds) measures how fast water protons spin-locked to macromolecules leave this locked state. Cartilage will be segmented into a number of regions of interest, with relaxation times calculated separately for each region of interest.

  3. T1rho relaxation time - patella

    Time frame: Baseline and 6 months

    Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the knee cartilage will be used to assess the interaction between water and macromolecules. T1rho relaxation time (measured in milliseconds) measures how fast water protons spin-locked to macromolecules leave this locked state. Cartilage will be segmented into a number of regions of interest, with relaxation times calculated separately for each region of interest.

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

    Time frame: Baseline and 6 months

    There are 9 questions in this subscale, with each question scored on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from "None" to "Extreme". The total sum of this subscale is calculated and divided by the maximum score to generate a score out of 100. Subscale totals range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating less pain.

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

    Time frame: Baseline and 6 months

    There are 17 questions in this subscale, with each question scored on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from "None" to "Extreme". The total sum of this subscale is calculated and divided by the maximum score to generate a score out of 100. Subscale totals range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating less pain.

Other outcomes

  1. Numerical rating scale of pain

    Time frame: Baseline and 6 months

    11-point numerical rating scale; 0 = no pain; 10 = worst pain imaginable

  2. Knee joint contact force impulse during running

    Time frame: Baseline and 6 months

    3D motion capture technology will be used to measure joint motion trajectories and external forces applied to the lower limb during running. Musculoskeletal modelling techniques will be used to calculate the contact force within the tibiofemoral joint.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Natasha Krowchuk, BSc

CONTACT

[email protected]

604-822-7948

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of British Columbia

Other

Registry information

Acronym: GORUN

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2030
Study completion
2030
First posted
Apr 14, 2026
Registry last updated
Apr 14, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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