Tennis ElbowNCT07406802
Association Between Racket Stiffness and Lateral Epicondylalgia in Tennis Players
An observational study of Tennis Elbow, run by University of Oviedo at 1 site in Spain.
Trial summary
Background. Lateral epicondylalgia is common in tennis and is associated with pain and functional limitation. Although racket stiffness has been experimentally linked to vibration transmission, its clinical association with this condition in tennis players remains insufficiently studied. Objective. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 16 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Tennis Elbow
- What is being tested?
- Adult tennis players
- How many people
- 207 participants
- Where
- 1 siteSpain
- Study dates
- 13 Feb 2026to 11 May 2026
- 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 16 years and older
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child, Adult, Older adult
Study population: Adult tennis players
Who may be able to join
- Tennis players aged 16 years or older.
- Regular tennis practice over the previous 12 months, defined as at least one weekly training or competition session.
- Habitual use of an adult tennis racket weighing more than 280 grams for training and competition for a minimum period of three months prior to data collection.
- Provision of written informed consent. Players with a history of elbow pain related to tennis practice will be eligible for inclusion and this information will be recorded as an independent clinical variable.
Who cannot join
- Players with a history of upper-limb surgery within the previous year.
- Athletes with a prior medical diagnosis of neurological or rheumatological disease that could affect the upper limb.
- Athletes who sustained an acute traumatic injury to the shoulder, elbow, or wrist within the six months preceding the study.
- Participants who fail to complete the study questionnaires correctly.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Association Between Racket Stiffness and Lateral Epicondylalgia in Tennis Players: A Multicenter Observational Study
Background. Lateral epicondylalgia is common in tennis and is associated with pain and functional limitation. Although racket stiffness has been experimentally linked to vibration transmission, its clinical association with this condition in tennis players remains insufficiently studied.
Objective. To evaluate the association between racket stiffness and the presence of lateral epicondylalgia in adult tennis players, and to examine the potential effect modification by sex and competitive level on this association.
Read more
Methods. An analytical observational study with a cross-sectional design will be conducted. A total of 200 athletes will be recruited. The primary outcome will be the presence of lateral epicondylalgia within the previous 12 months. Functional severity will be assessed using the Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation Questionnaire. The main independent variable will be racket stiffness (RA/stiffness). Secondary variables will include string age, use of a vibration dampener, and exposure related to playing load and technique. Potential confounders will include sex, competitive level, age, anthropometric characteristics, smoking status, prior history of elbow pain, occupational ergonomics involving repetitive gripping (ISO 11228-3 criteria), sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), and racket characteristics. The prevalence of lateral epicondylalgia will be estimated, and multivariable logistic regression models will be used to assess the association between racket stiffness and lateral epicondylalgia, including interaction terms to evaluate effect modification by sex and competitive level.
Expected results. To determine the prevalence of lateral epicondylalgia in adult tennis players and to identify the association between racket stiffness and the presence of this condition, as well as the potential modifying effects of sex and competitive level.
- Conditions
- Tennis Elbow
- Being tested
- Adult tennis players
- Keywords
- Tennis Elbow, Sports Injuries, Equipment Design, Pain Measurement
- Medical subject headings
- Tennis Elbow, Athletic Injuries
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Adult tennis playersOther
Adult tennis players in whom the association between racket stiffness and the presence of lateral epicondylalgia will be evaluated, including an analysis of the potential effect modification by sex and competitive level on this association.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Observacional group | Adult tennis players in whom the association between racket stiffness and the presence of lateral epicondylalgia will be evaluated, including an analysis of the potential effect modification by sex and competitive level on this association. Receives: Other: Adult tennis players |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Measurement of Clinical of lateral epicondylalgia within the previous 12 months.
Lateral epicondylalgia will be assessed using the Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE) Questionnaire. This instrument evaluates pain and functional disability in individuals with lateral epicondylalgia. The questionnaire consists of 15 items. The total PRTEE score is transformed to a 0-100 scale, where 0 indicates no pain or disability and 100 represents the worst possible pain and functional impairment.
Measured: Screening visit
Secondary outcomes (11)
Measurement of racket stiffness.
Racket stiffness will be assessed using the measured stiffness value (RA) or stiffness index. As not all racket models report this parameter, when participants are unaware of the RA value, it will be determined based on the exact brand, model, and year of manufacture, and subsequently obtained from manufacturer catalogs or technical reference tables. The unit of measurement will be the RA rating (Racquet Analysis rating), also referred to as the stiffness index.
Measured: Screening visit
Measurement of string age.
String age will be measured as the number of months since the last restringing. This variable will be used as a mechanical proxy for string condition, as commonly applied in biomechanical studies and technical-sport performance recommendations.
Measured: Screening visit
Measurement of vibration dampener use
Vibration dampener use will be recorded as a dichotomous variable (yes/no). When applicable, the specific dampener model will be documented. This variable is a recognized modifier of the vibratory spectrum, as described in experimental studies.
Measured: Screening visit
Measurement of load exposure and playing technique
In this variable, data will be collected on the number of weekly training hours (measured in hours/week).
Measured: Screening visit
Measurement of load exposure and technique.
In this variable, data will be collected on the years of tennis practice (number of years).
Measured: Screening visit
Measurement of load exposure and technique.
In this variable, data will be collected on the number of weekly matches (matches/week).
Measured: Screening visit
Measurement of load exposure and technique.
In this variable, data will be collected on upper-limb dominance (right / left).
Measured: Screening visit
Measurement of load exposure and technique.
In this variable, data will be collected on whether the athlete performs specific weekly upper-limb strength training (yes / no).
Measured: Screening visit
Measurement of load exposure and technique.
In this variable, data will be collected on the number of weekly strength training hours.
Measured: Screening visit
Measurement of load exposure and technique.
In this variable, data will be collected on backhand execution (one-handed / two-handed).
Measured: Screening visit
Measurement of load exposure and technique.
In this variable, data will be collected on competitive level (occasional recreational (≤1 session/week; no tournaments); regular recreational (2-3 sessions/week; occasional local leagues); regional competitive
Measured: Screening visit
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted12 Feb 2026
- Study start13 Feb 2026
- Primary completion1 Apr 2026
- Study completion11 May 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Tennis ElbowStudies 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
- Cross-sectional
- Enrolment
- 207 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Oviedo
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Ruben Cuesta Barriuso, University of Oviedo
- Investigators
- Rubén Cuesta-Barriuso, PhD, Principal investigator, Universidad de Oviedo
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07406802
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- TENrig
- Status last verified
- Feb 2026
- First submitted
- 5 Feb 2026
- Last updated
- 1 May 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 1 May 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Association Between Racket Stiffness and Lateral Epicondylalgia in Tennis Players: A Multicenter Observational Study
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07406802
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- TENrig
- Conditions
- Tennis Elbow
- Keywords
- Tennis Elbow, Sports Injuries, Equipment Design, Pain Measurement
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Active, not recruiting
- Enrolment
- 207 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University of OviedoUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 13 Feb 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 Apr 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 11 May 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 12 Feb 2026 (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.
Background. Lateral epicondylalgia is common in tennis and is associated with pain and functional limitation. Although racket stiffness has been experimentally linked to vibration transmission, its clinical association with this condition in tennis players remains insufficiently studied.
Objective. To evaluate the association between racket stiffness and the presence of lateral epicondylalgia in adult tennis players, and to examine the potential effect modification by sex and competitive level on this association.
Methods. An analytical observational study with a cross-sectional design will be conducted. A total of 200 athletes will be recruited. The primary outcome will be the presence of lateral epicondylalgia within the previous 12 months. Functional severity will be assessed using the Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation Questionnaire. The main independent variable will be racket stiffness (RA/stiffness). Secondary variables will include string age, use of a vibration dampener, and exposure related to playing load and technique. Potential confounders will include sex, competitive level, age, anthropometric characteristics, smoking status, prior history of elbow pain, occupational ergonomics involving repetitive gripping (ISO 11228-3 criteria), sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), and racket characteristics. The prevalence of lateral epicondylalgia will be estimated, and multivariable logistic regression models will be used to assess the association between racket stiffness and lateral epicondylalgia, including interaction terms to evaluate effect modification by sex and competitive level.
Expected results. To determine the prevalence of lateral epicondylalgia in adult tennis players and to identify the association between racket stiffness and the presence of this condition, as well as the potential modifying effects of sex and competitive level.
Study design
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Observacional group | – | Other: Adult tennis playersAdult tennis players in whom the association between racket stiffness and the presence of lateral epicondylalgia will be evaluated, including an analysis of the potential effect modification by sex and competitive level on this association. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 16 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult, Older adult
- Study population
- Adult tennis players
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Tennis players aged 16 years or older.
- Regular tennis practice over the previous 12 months, defined as at least one weekly training or competition session.
- Habitual use of an adult tennis racket weighing more than 280 grams for training and competition for a minimum period of three months prior to data collection.
- Provision of written informed consent. Players with a history of elbow pain related to tennis practice will be eligible for inclusion and this information will be recorded as an independent clinical variable.
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Players with a history of upper-limb surgery within the previous year.
- Athletes with a prior medical diagnosis of neurological or rheumatological disease that could affect the upper limb.
- Athletes who sustained an acute traumatic injury to the shoulder, elbow, or wrist within the six months preceding the study.
- Participants who fail to complete the study questionnaires correctly.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Adult tennis playersAdult tennis players in whom the association between racket stiffness and the presence of lateral epicondylalgia will be evaluated, including an analysis of the potential effect modification by sex and competitive level on this association. | Other | Observacional group |
Primary outcome
Measurement of Clinical of lateral epicondylalgia within the previous 12 months.
Time frame: Screening visit
Lateral epicondylalgia will be assessed using the Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE) Questionnaire. This instrument evaluates pain and functional disability in individuals with lateral epicondylalgia. The questionnaire consists of 15 items. The total PRTEE score is transformed to a 0-100 scale, where 0 indicates no pain or disability and 100 represents the worst possible pain and functional impairment.
11 secondary outcomes
Measurement of racket stiffness.
Time frame: Screening visit
Measurement of string age.
Time frame: Screening visit
Measurement of vibration dampener use
Time frame: Screening visit
Measurement of load exposure and playing technique
Time frame: Screening visit
Measurement of load exposure and technique.
Time frame: Screening visit
Measurement of load exposure and technique.
Time frame: Screening visit
Measurement of load exposure and technique.
Time frame: Screening visit
Measurement of load exposure and technique.
Time frame: Screening visit
Measurement of load exposure and technique.
Time frame: Screening visit
Measurement of load exposure and technique.
Time frame: Screening visit
Measurement of load exposure and technique.
Time frame: Screening visit
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 1 May 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided
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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. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Rubén Cuesta-Barriuso, PhD principal investigator
Universidad de Oviedo
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 Tennis Elbow, run by University of Oviedo at 1 site in Spain.
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 4 inclusion and 4 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: under way, not looking for participants, as of the sponsor's last update on 1 May 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 Spain. 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?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Measurement of Clinical of lateral epicondylalgia within the previous 12 months. (time frame: Screening visit). 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 1 May 2026.