Osteoarthritis (OA) of the KneeGORUNNCT07528885
The GORUN Study: Gradual Onset of RUNning and Knee Joint Health in Novice Runners
A study testing Running volume increase in people with Osteoarthritis (OA) of the Knee, run by University of British Columbia at 1 site in Canada.
Trial 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. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 35 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Osteoarthritis (OA) of the Knee
- What is being tested?
- Running volume increase
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 80 participants
- Where
- 1 siteCanada
- Study dates
- May 2026to 31 Dec 2030
- Phase
- Interventional
- 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 35 years and older
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- 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
Who cannot join
- 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
Show all 11Show fewer
- current or possible pregnancy
- electrical stimulator for nerves or bones
- infusion pumps
- shrapnel or other metallic fragments
- non-removable metallic jewellry
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Canada1 site
Motion Analysis and Biofeedback Laboratory, The University of British Columbia
Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z3
Natasha Krowchuk, BSc, 604-822-7948, natasha.krowchuk@ubc.ca
Michael A Hunt, PT, PhD
About this study
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
- Being tested
- Running volume increase
- Keywords
- running, exercise
- Medical subject headings
- Osteoarthritis, Motor Activity
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Running volume increaseBehavioural
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.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Healthy control | Active comparator | Pain-free Individuals without radiographic evidence of knee osteoarthritis who will receive the running program intervention Receives: 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 Receives: Behavioral: Running volume increase |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
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.
Measured: 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.
Measured: 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.
Measured: Baseline and 6 months
Secondary outcomes (5)
T1rho relaxation time - medial tibia
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.
Measured: Baseline and 6 months
T1rho relaxation time - medial femur
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.
Measured: Baseline and 6 months
T1rho relaxation time - patella
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.
Measured: Baseline and 6 months
Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) - pain subscale
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.
Measured: Baseline and 6 months
Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) - function in daily living subscale
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.
Measured: Baseline and 6 months
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted14 Apr 2026
- Study startMay 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion31 Dec 2030 (estimated)
- Study completion31 Dec 2030 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Osteoarthritis (OA) of the KneeStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by University of British ColumbiaThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- 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
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Non-randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 80 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of British Columbia
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Michael Hunt, University of British Columbia
- Investigators
- Michael Hunt, PT, PhD, Principal investigator, The University of British Columbia
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07528885
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- H26-00511
- Acronym
- GORUN
- Status last verified
- Apr 2026
- First submitted
- 28 Mar 2026
- Last updated
- 14 Apr 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 14 Apr 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The GORUN Study: Gradual Onset of RUNning and Knee Joint Health in Novice Runners
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07528885
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- GORUN / H26-00511
- Conditions
- Osteoarthritis (OA) of the Knee
- Keywords
- running, exercise
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 80 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- University of British ColumbiaUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- May 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 31 Dec 2030 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 31 Dec 2030 (estimated)
- First posted
- 14 Apr 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.
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.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Non-randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Healthy control | Active comparator | Behavioral: Running volume increasePain-free Individuals without radiographic evidence of knee osteoarthritis who will receive the running program intervention |
| Knee osteoarthritis group | Active comparator | Behavioral: Running volume increaseIndividuals with knee pain and radiographic evidence of knee osteoarthritis who will receive the running program intervention |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 35 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- 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
Key exclusion criteria (11 listed)
- 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
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Running volume increaseParticipants 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. | Behavioural | Healthy control, Knee osteoarthritis group |
Primary outcome
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.
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.
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.
5 secondary outcomes
T1rho relaxation time - medial tibia
Time frame: Baseline and 6 months
T1rho relaxation time - medial femur
Time frame: Baseline and 6 months
T1rho relaxation time - patella
Time frame: Baseline and 6 months
Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) - pain subscale
Time frame: Baseline and 6 months
Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) - function in daily living subscale
Time frame: Baseline and 6 months
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 14 Apr 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
Related trials for Osteoarthritis (OA) of the Knee
Not yet recruiting
Opioid Reduction and Enhanced Recovery in Orthopaedic Surgery (OREOS)-Knee
Knee Arthroplasty, Total, Partial Knee Arthroplasty
RecruitingPhase 4
Personalized Analgesia Through Central Nervous System Engagement to Unlock Performance
Knee Osteoarthritis (Knee OA), Chronic Pain
Enrolling by invitation
Whole-body Vibration Training on the Elderly With Combined Bilateral Knee Osteoarthritis
Knee OA, Sarcopenic Obesity
Recruiting
Enhancing Voluntary Motion in Broad Patient Populations With Modular Powered Orthoses Renewal
Lower-limb Orthoses, Osteoarthritic Knee Pain
Not yet recruiting
Evaluation of the Effects of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field on Inflammatory Knee Osteoarthritis
Knee Osteoarthritis (Knee OA)
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.
Michael Hunt, PT, PhD principal investigator
The University of British Columbia
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Running volume increase in people with Osteoarthritis (OA) of the Knee, run by University of British Columbia at 1 site in Canada.
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 6 inclusion and 11 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: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 14 Apr 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 Canada. 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 Natasha Krowchuk, BSc (604-822-7948, natasha.krowchuk@ubc.ca), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
T2 relaxation time - medial tibia (time frame: Baseline and 6 months). The study lists 3 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 14 Apr 2026; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 26 Oct 2026.