AgingNCT05344001
Life After Sport: Prior Injury and Sedentary Behavior as Mechanisms of Later Poor Health
An observational study of Aging and Athletic Injuries, run by Marquette University at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
Competitive sport increases risk for musculoskeletal injury (e.g., traumatic knee injury) and may position former athletes for early onset of chronic diseases, chronic pain, poor health-related quality of life, and disability. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 64 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Aging, Athletic Injuries, Physical Inactivity
- How many people
- 450 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 18 Apr 2022to Aug 2027
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 64 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Study population: Current and former collegiate varsity athletes with and without a prior history of traumatic knee injury and matched non-athlete controls.
Who may be able to join
- Age 18-25 years OR age 40-64 years
- Current or former collegiate varsity athlete OR non-athlete control
Who cannot join
- Neurologic (e.g., stroke, Parkinson's) and/or degenerative disease that impairs function
- Pregnancy
- Lower extremity joint replacement (e.g., hip or knee replacement)
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
United States1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Marquette University
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53233
Jacob J. Capin, PhD, DPT, MS, 4142887865, jacob.capin@marquette.edu
About this study
Competitive sport increases risk for musculoskeletal injury (e.g., traumatic knee injury) and may position former athletes for early onset of chronic diseases, chronic pain, poor health-related quality of life, and disability. Quantifying function in former athletes with and without a prior injury and non-athlete controls is critical to understanding long-term health trajectories in athletes and informing potential interventional studies. One modifiable factor that may be associated with long-term health in athletes is physical activity patterns. The purpose of this study is to evaluate strength, function, physical activity, dietary patterns, and cardiometabolic health among current and former competitive athletes and in nonathlete controls to evaluate the impact of prior knee injury and sedentary behavior as two potential determinants of later poor health and reduced function.
Read the detailed description
The overarching hypothesis is that former athletes, especially those with a prior injury, will have poorer function and health in midlife and that current and former athletes will engage in greater overall and longer bouts of sedentary behavior compared to non-athletes.
Aim 1 will compare function, strength, and cardiometabolic indicators among former athletes with and without prior knee injury and non-athlete controls in midlife (age 40-64). Hypothesis 1 is that former athletes with a prior injury will have the poorest function, muscle strength, and cardiometabolic indicators.
Aim 2 will compare sedentary behavior and physical activity patterns in current (age 18-25) and midlife former athletes to non-athlete controls. Hypothesis 2.1 is that current athletes will have greater sedentary behavior, longer sedentary behavior bouts, and higher levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity compared to non-athlete controls. Hypothesis 2.2 is that former athletes in midlife will have greater sedentary behavior, longer sedentary behavior bouts, and lower physical activity levels compared to non-athlete controls.
An exploratory aim will evaluate longitudinally the trajectory of physical activity patterns, cardiometabolic indicators, function, and strength annually in each cohort, comparing how these variables change over time in each subgroup.
- Keywords
- Sports Medicine, Injury, Athlete, Sport, Physical Activity, Function, Health, Knee
- Medical subject headings
- Athletic Injuries, Sedentary Behavior, Knee Injuries, Disease, Wounds and Injuries, Motor Activity
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Midlife former athletes with a prior knee injury | Inclusion Criteria: Age 40-64 years. Prior participation in a collision, contact, or jumping/cutting/pivoting sport (e.g., baseball, basketball, field hockey, football, ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball, volleyball, etc.) at the collegiate varsity level for at least 1 season; history of at least 1 prior traumatic knee injury including but not limited to ACL or PCL rupture and/or reconstruction, medial and/or lateral meniscus tear or surgery, osteochondral defect, and/or intra-articular (i.e., tibiofemoral or patellofemoral) fracture. Exclusion Criteria: Neurologic (e.g., stroke, Parkinson's) and/or degenerative disease that impairs function; current pregnancy; lower extremity joint replacement (e.g., hip or knee replacement). | |
| Midlife former athletes without a prior major lower extremity injury | Inclusion Criteria: Age 40-64 years. Prior participation in a collision, contact, or jumping/cutting/pivoting sport (e.g., football, baseball, basketball, field hockey, ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball, volleyball, etc.) at the collegiate varsity level for at least 1 season. Exclusion Criteria: Neurologic (e.g., stroke, Parkinson's) and/or degenerative disease that impairs function; current pregnancy; lower extremity joint replacement (e.g., hip or knee replacement); prior major lower extremity injury (e.g., ACL tear, Achilles tendon rupture, compound ankle or femur fracture, hip dislocation). | |
| Midlife controls | Inclusion Criteria: Age 40-64 years. Exclusion Criteria: Prior participation in a collegiate varsity sport or professional sport; neurologic (e.g., stroke, Parkinson's) and/or degenerative disease that impairs function; current pregnancy; lower extremity joint replacement (e.g., hip or knee replacement); prior major lower extremity injury (e.g., ACL tear, Achilles tendon rupture, compound ankle or femur fracture, hip dislocation). | |
| Young adult athletes | Inclusion Criteria: Age 18-25 years. Participation in a collision, contact, or jumping/cutting/pivoting sport (e.g., baseball, basketball, field hockey, football, ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball, volleyball, etc.) at the varsity collegiate level. Exclusion Criteria: Neurologic (e.g., stroke, Parkinson's) and/or degenerative disease that impairs function; current pregnancy; lower extremity joint replacement (e.g., hip or knee replacement). | |
| Young adult controls | Inclusion Criteria: Age 18-25 years. Exclusion Criteria: Prior or current participation in any collegiate varsity sport; prior major lower extremity injury or surgery (e.g., ACL tear, Achilles tendon rupture, compound ankle or femur fracture, hip dislocation); current participation in competitive sport (e.g., collegiate club sport) more than 3x/week; joint replacement in the lower extremity (i.e., knee or hip replacement); current pregnancy; or neurologic condition (e.g., stroke, Parkinson's) and/or degenerative condition that impairs function. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
30-Second Chair Stand Test (primary outcome for Aim 1)
Physical function (functional performance) will be evaluated using the 30-Second Chair Stand Test, 6-Minute Walk Test, and Stair Climb Test. The 30-Second Chair Stand Test uses a standard height chair and requires the participant to stand up and sit down as many times as possible in 30 seconds. More completions indicate better physical function.
Measured: Baseline
Sedentary Behavior (primary outcome for Aim 2)
Physical activity will be monitored continuously using an accelerometer worn for 2 weeks. Physical activity will be classified throughout the day as sedentary, light, moderate, or vigorous using established algorithms. The primary outcome for aim 2 is the mean percentage of waking hours in sedentary behavior.
Measured: Baseline
Secondary outcomes (13)
Strength
Isometric quadriceps and hamstring strength will be assessed using a standardized strength testing machine (i.e., electromechanical dynamometer).
Measured: Baseline
Body Composition
Body composition (i.e., percent body fat) will be assessed via dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA).
Measured: Baseline
Step Counts
Average daily step counts will also be recorded using an objective physical activity monitor.
Measured: Baseline
Cardiovascular Disease Risk
The American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk Estimator will be used in the midlife participants to estimate 10-year cardiovascular disease risk.
Measured: Baseline
6-Minute Walk Test
The 6-Minute Walk Test evaluates the distance participants can walk in 6 minutes and is a widely used indicator of function and aerobic capacity. The 6-minute walk test will be evaluated in the midlife participants only.
Measured: Baseline
Stair Climb Test
The Stair Climb Test assesses the time it takes the participant to ascend and descend a flight of stairs. Faster times on the Stair Climb Test are associated with better strength and function. The Stair Climb Test will be evaluated in the midlife participants only.
Measured: Baseline
Sedentary Behavior (follow-up)
Physical activity will be monitored continuously using an accelerometer worn for 2 weeks. Physical activity will be classified throughout the day as sedentary, light, moderate, or vigorous using established algorithms. Mean percentage of waking hours in sedentary behavior and each physical activity classification will be assessed.
Measured: Follow-up (an average of 1 year post-baseline)
30-Second Chair Stand Test (follow-up)
The 30-Second Chair Stand Test uses a standard height chair and requires the participant to stand up and sit down as many times as possible in 30 seconds. More completions indicate better physical function.
Measured: Follow-up (an average of 1 year post-baseline)
Strength (follow-up)
Isometric quadriceps and hamstring strength will be assessed using a standardized strength testing machine (i.e., electromechanical dynamometer).
Measured: Follow-up (an average of 1 year post-baseline)
Body Composition (follow-up)
Body composition (i.e., percent body fat) will be assessed via dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA).
Measured: Follow-up (an average of 1 year post-baseline)
Step Counts (Follow-up)
Average daily step counts will also be recorded using an objective physical activity monitor.
Measured: Follow-up (an average of 1 year post-baseline)
6-Minute Walk Test (follow-up)
The 6-Minute Walk Test evaluates the distance participants can walk in 6 minutes and is a widely used indicator of function and aerobic capacity. The 6-minute walk test will be evaluated in the midlife participants only.
Measured: Follow-up (an average of 1 year post-baseline)
Stair Climb Test (follow-up)
The Stair Climb Test assesses the time it takes the participant to ascend and descend a flight of stairs. Faster times on the Stair Climb Test are associated with better strength and function. The Stair Climb Test will be evaluated in the midlife participants only.
Measured: Follow-up (an average of 1 year post-baseline)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted25 Apr 2022
- Study start18 Apr 2022
- Primary completionAug 2026 (estimated)
- Study completionAug 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for AgingStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Enrolment
- 450 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Marquette University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- National Institutes of Health (NIH)
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Jacob J. Capin, DPT, PhD, MS, Principal investigator, Marquette University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05344001
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 3967
- Other IDs
- DP5OD031833
- Status last verified
- Feb 2026
- First submitted
- 12 Apr 2022
- Last updated
- 25 Feb 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 25 Feb 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Life After Sport: Prior Injury and Sedentary Behavior as Mechanisms of Later Poor Health
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05344001
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 3967
- Keywords
- Sports Medicine, Injury, Athlete, Sport, Physical Activity, Function, Health, Knee
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 450 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Marquette UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- National Institutes of Health (NIH)
- Study start
- 18 Apr 2022 (actual)
- Primary completion
- Aug 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Aug 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 25 Apr 2022 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Competitive sport increases risk for musculoskeletal injury (e.g., traumatic knee injury) and may position former athletes for early onset of chronic diseases, chronic pain, poor health-related quality of life, and disability. Quantifying function in former athletes with and without a prior injury and non-athlete controls is critical to understanding long-term health trajectories in athletes and informing potential interventional studies. One modifiable factor that may be associated with long-term health in athletes is physical activity patterns. The purpose of this study is to evaluate strength, function, physical activity, dietary patterns, and cardiometabolic health among current and former competitive athletes and in nonathlete controls to evaluate the impact of prior knee injury and sedentary behavior as two potential determinants of later poor health and reduced function.
Detailed description
The overarching hypothesis is that former athletes, especially those with a prior injury, will have poorer function and health in midlife and that current and former athletes will engage in greater overall and longer bouts of sedentary behavior compared to non-athletes.
Aim 1 will compare function, strength, and cardiometabolic indicators among former athletes with and without prior knee injury and non-athlete controls in midlife (age 40-64). Hypothesis 1 is that former athletes with a prior injury will have the poorest function, muscle strength, and cardiometabolic indicators.
Aim 2 will compare sedentary behavior and physical activity patterns in current (age 18-25) and midlife former athletes to non-athlete controls. Hypothesis 2.1 is that current athletes will have greater sedentary behavior, longer sedentary behavior bouts, and higher levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity compared to non-athlete controls. Hypothesis 2.2 is that former athletes in midlife will have greater sedentary behavior, longer sedentary behavior bouts, and lower physical activity levels compared to non-athlete controls.
An exploratory aim will evaluate longitudinally the trajectory of physical activity patterns, cardiometabolic indicators, function, and strength annually in each cohort, comparing how these variables change over time in each subgroup.
Study design
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Number of arms
- 5
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Midlife former athletes with a prior knee injury | – | –Inclusion Criteria: Age 40-64 years. Prior participation in a collision, contact, or jumping/cutting/pivoting sport (e.g., baseball, basketball, field hockey, football, ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball, volleyball, etc.) at the collegiate varsity level for at least 1 season; history of at least 1 prior traumatic knee injury including but not limited to ACL or PCL rupture and/or reconstruction, medial and/or lateral meniscus tear or surgery, osteochondral defect, and/or intra-articular (i.e., tibiofemoral or patellofemoral) fracture. Exclusion Criteria: Neurologic (e.g., stroke, Parkinson's) and/or degenerative disease that impairs function; current pregnancy; lower extremity joint replacement (e.g., hip or knee replacement). |
| Midlife former athletes without a prior major lower extremity injury | – | –Inclusion Criteria: Age 40-64 years. Prior participation in a collision, contact, or jumping/cutting/pivoting sport (e.g., football, baseball, basketball, field hockey, ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball, volleyball, etc.) at the collegiate varsity level for at least 1 season. Exclusion Criteria: Neurologic (e.g., stroke, Parkinson's) and/or degenerative disease that impairs function; current pregnancy; lower extremity joint replacement (e.g., hip or knee replacement); prior major lower extremity injury (e.g., ACL tear, Achilles tendon rupture, compound ankle or femur fracture, hip dislocation). |
| Midlife controls | – | –Inclusion Criteria: Age 40-64 years. Exclusion Criteria: Prior participation in a collegiate varsity sport or professional sport; neurologic (e.g., stroke, Parkinson's) and/or degenerative disease that impairs function; current pregnancy; lower extremity joint replacement (e.g., hip or knee replacement); prior major lower extremity injury (e.g., ACL tear, Achilles tendon rupture, compound ankle or femur fracture, hip dislocation). |
| Young adult athletes | – | –Inclusion Criteria: Age 18-25 years. Participation in a collision, contact, or jumping/cutting/pivoting sport (e.g., baseball, basketball, field hockey, football, ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball, volleyball, etc.) at the varsity collegiate level. Exclusion Criteria: Neurologic (e.g., stroke, Parkinson's) and/or degenerative disease that impairs function; current pregnancy; lower extremity joint replacement (e.g., hip or knee replacement). |
| Young adult controls | – | –Inclusion Criteria: Age 18-25 years. Exclusion Criteria: Prior or current participation in any collegiate varsity sport; prior major lower extremity injury or surgery (e.g., ACL tear, Achilles tendon rupture, compound ankle or femur fracture, hip dislocation); current participation in competitive sport (e.g., collegiate club sport) more than 3x/week; joint replacement in the lower extremity (i.e., knee or hip replacement); current pregnancy; or neurologic condition (e.g., stroke, Parkinson's) and/or degenerative condition that impairs function. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 64 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
- Study population
- Current and former collegiate varsity athletes with and without a prior history of traumatic knee injury and matched non-athlete controls.
Key inclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Age 18-25 years OR age 40-64 years
- Current or former collegiate varsity athlete OR non-athlete control
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Neurologic (e.g., stroke, Parkinson's) and/or degenerative disease that impairs function
- Pregnancy
- Lower extremity joint replacement (e.g., hip or knee replacement)
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Primary outcome
30-Second Chair Stand Test (primary outcome for Aim 1)
Time frame: Baseline
Physical function (functional performance) will be evaluated using the 30-Second Chair Stand Test, 6-Minute Walk Test, and Stair Climb Test. The 30-Second Chair Stand Test uses a standard height chair and requires the participant to stand up and sit down as many times as possible in 30 seconds. More completions indicate better physical function.
Sedentary Behavior (primary outcome for Aim 2)
Time frame: Baseline
Physical activity will be monitored continuously using an accelerometer worn for 2 weeks. Physical activity will be classified throughout the day as sedentary, light, moderate, or vigorous using established algorithms. The primary outcome for aim 2 is the mean percentage of waking hours in sedentary behavior.
13 secondary outcomes
Strength
Time frame: Baseline
Body Composition
Time frame: Baseline
Step Counts
Time frame: Baseline
Cardiovascular Disease Risk
Time frame: Baseline
6-Minute Walk Test
Time frame: Baseline
Stair Climb Test
Time frame: Baseline
Sedentary Behavior (follow-up)
Time frame: Follow-up (an average of 1 year post-baseline)
30-Second Chair Stand Test (follow-up)
Time frame: Follow-up (an average of 1 year post-baseline)
Strength (follow-up)
Time frame: Follow-up (an average of 1 year post-baseline)
Body Composition (follow-up)
Time frame: Follow-up (an average of 1 year post-baseline)
Step Counts (Follow-up)
Time frame: Follow-up (an average of 1 year post-baseline)
6-Minute Walk Test (follow-up)
Time frame: Follow-up (an average of 1 year post-baseline)
Stair Climb Test (follow-up)
Time frame: Follow-up (an average of 1 year post-baseline)
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 25 Feb 2026.
- Official website of the Life After Sport Trajectories (LAST) Lab at Marquette University.Link provided by the sponsor.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Jacob J. Capin, DPT, PhD, MS principal investigator
Marquette University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Aging and Athletic Injuries, run by Marquette University at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 2 inclusion and 3 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 25 Feb 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Jacob J. Capin, DPT, PhD, MS (414-288-7865, jacob.capin@marquette.edu), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
30-Second Chair Stand Test (primary outcome for Aim 1) (time frame: Baseline). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 25 Feb 2026.