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Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness Experimentally InducedDOMEXNCT07880782

Clinical and MRI Characteristics of Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) of the Shoulder Rotator Muscles Induced by Eccentric Exercise: An Exploratory Prospective Experimental Study

A study testing Isokinetic dynamometer in people with Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness Experimentally Induced, run by Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris at 1 site in France.

Not yet recruiting

Opening soon. The study is approved but enrolment has not started yet. Sites may already take enquiries.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

The purpose of this study is to characterize the clinical and radiological manifestations of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) experimentally induced by an isokinetic eccentric contraction protocol targeting the shoulder rotator muscles in asymptomatic athletic subjects. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 45 years, men only
What is being tested?
Isokinetic dynamometer
Type of treatment
Medical device
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
10 participants
Where
1 siteFrance
Study dates
Oct 2026to Nov 2027
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 18 to 45 years
  • Men only
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult

Who may be able to join

  • Male subjects aged 18 to 45,
  • No hormone therapy for the transgender population,
  • Asymptomatic dominant shoulder,
  • Athletes who have been performing upper-body strength training at least once a week for the past 3 months,
  • Patients with no symptoms or history of: humeral, clavicular, or scapular fractures; glenohumeral, acromioclavicular, or sternoclavicular dislocations; shoulder surgery within the past 6 months; calcification; inflammatory arthritis; and/or tendon disorders,
  • Enrollment in a social security program,
  • Provision of information to the patient and obtaining the patient's free and informed consent.

Who cannot join

  • Shoulder pain or history of shoulder pain
  • Cognitive impairments deemed moderate to severe by the investigator Cardiac conditions that contraindicate maximal exertion
  • Language barriers preventing participation in a rehabilitation program or the completion of a reliable assessment
  • Persons under legal guardianship, conservatorship, or other legal protection
  • Refusal to participate

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Marie-Martine LEFEVRE-COLAU, MD,PhD contact

06 30 48 08 93 ext. +33

marie-martine.lefevre-colau@aphp.fr

Lynda OUSSALAH contact

lynda.oussalah@aphp.fr

France1 site
  • GH Paris Centre, Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris

    Paris, France, 75014

    Marie Martine LEFEVRE-COLAU, MD.PhD, 06 30 48 08 93 ext. +33, marie-martine.lefevre-colau@aphp.fr

    Maxime BROHAN, MD, 06 22 57 43 74 ext. +33, maxime.brohan@aphp.fr

Other trials in France

About this study

The purpose of this study is to characterize the clinical and radiological manifestations of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) experimentally induced by an isokinetic eccentric contraction protocol targeting the shoulder rotator muscles in asymptomatic athletic subjects.

Read the detailed description

In recent years, an increasing number of young athletes have reported shoulder pain and weakness following intense physical activity, particularly strength training. These symptoms may sometimes suggest neurological conditions, such as suprascapular nerve involvement, but in most cases they correspond to delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), a common and benign response to unaccustomed or intense exercise. DOMS typically occurs between 12 and 48 hours after exercise and is characterized by diffuse muscle pain, transient loss of strength, tenderness to palpation, and reduced muscle flexibility. Despite its high prevalence, the clinical and imaging characteristics of DOMS affecting the shoulder rotator muscles remain insufficiently described, which may lead to diagnostic uncertainty and inappropriate management. To address this gap, this study is based on an experimental model designed to reproducibly induce DOMS in a controlled setting in healthy, physically active young adults.

Participants will undergo a standardized isokinetic exercise protocol targeting the internal and external rotator muscles of the shoulder. After an initial familiarization phase with the isokinetic device, participants will perform a structured exercise session consisting of 8 sets of 10 repetitions of eccentric contractions in both internal and external rotation. The protocol is designed to induce muscle fatigue and reproducible DOMS through controlled eccentric loading. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the shoulder will be performed at predefined time points during the study to assess muscle changes induced by the eccentric exercise. Particular attention will be paid to signal changes on fluid-sensitive sequences (T2/STIR), which are expected to reflect muscle edema and inflammation associated with DOMS.

In parallel, a comprehensive clinical and functional assessment will be conducted throughout the study. This includes evaluation of pain intensity using a visual analog scale (VAS), measurement of active and passive range of motion, assessment of muscle strength, and evaluation of functional impact using validated questionnaires such as the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) and the QuickDASH.

No invasive procedures or therapeutic interventions are involved in this study. The protocol relies exclusively on controlled mechanical (eccentric) muscle loading and non-invasive imaging.

Being tested
Isokinetic dynamometer
Keywords
DOMS, Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness, Magnetic resonance imaging, Excentric movement, Isokinetic dynamometer

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Isokinetic dynamometerDevice

    A standardized series of 8 sets of 10 repetitions of internal and external shoulder rotations performed under eccentric contractions.

Study groups in NCT07880782
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
DOMSExperimentalAsymptomatic male athletes who have been performing upper-limb strength training at least once per week for the past 3 months.
Receives: Device: Isokinetic dynamometer

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Composite Clinical and MRI Assessment of DOMS Evolution in Shoulder Rotator Muscles

    A composite endpoint combining quantitative clinical parameters and qualitative and semi-quantitative MRI parameters, allowing analysis of the temporal evolution of DOMS from baseline through the different follow-up phases.

    Measured: 3 months

Secondary outcomes (5)
  1. Physical Impairment: numeric verbal scale of pain

    self-evaluated numeric verbal scale of pain, ranging from 0 to 10 (lesser is better)

    Measured: Day4, Day9 to Day16, and 3 months

  2. Physical Impairment : mobility of shoulder joints

    Active and passive shoulder bilateral global mobility.

    Active and passive shoulder bilateral scapulohumeral mobility:

    Measured in antepulsion/ abduction in scapular plane/ lateral rotation and medial rotation

    Measured: Day4, Day9 to Day16, and 3 months

  3. Self-administered questionnaire assessing quality of life of the upper limb

    Assesses the ability to perform 23 activities, the severity of symptoms 30-item self-reported questionnaire in which the response options are presented as 5-point Likert scales.

    Scores range from 0 (no disability) to 100 (most severe disability). In addition there are two optional modules of four questions each, sporting or instrumental and employment activity.

    Measured: Day4, Day9 to Day16, and 3 months

  4. Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI)

    Self-administered questionnaire that consists of two dimensions, one for pain and the other for functional activities. Total score ranging from 0 (best) to 100 (worst).

    Measured: Day4, Day9 to Day16, and 3 months

  5. MRI Normalization Time

    Qualitative and semi-quantitative assessment of MRI muscle abnormalities on sagittal, axial, and coronal T2 fat-saturated and T2 STIR sequences, including presence, intensity and distribution of muscle hyperintensity, number of muscles involved, and associated lesions.

    Measured: Day4, Day9 to Day16, and 3 months

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted19 Oct 2026
  2. Study startOct 2026 (estimated)
  3. Primary completionAug 2027 (estimated)
  4. Study completionNov 2027 (estimated)

Resources

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
Not applicable
Intervention model
Single group
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
10 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07880782
Sponsor's protocol ID
APHP260672
Other IDs
ID-RCB
Acronym
DOMEX
Status last verified
Oct 2026
First submitted
12 Oct 2026
Last updated
19 Oct 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Connolly DA, Sayers SP, McHugh MP. Treatment and prevention of delayed onset muscle soreness. J Strength Cond Res. 2003 Feb;17(1):197-208. doi: 10.1519/1533-4287(2003)0172.0.co;2.

    PubMed 12580677
  • Cheung K, Hume P, Maxwell L. Delayed onset muscle soreness : treatment strategies and performance factors. Sports Med. 2003;33(2):145-64. doi: 10.2165/00007256-200333020-00005.

    PubMed 12617692
  • Hody S, Croisier JL, Bury T, Rogister B, Leprince P. Eccentric Muscle Contractions: Risks and Benefits. Front Physiol. 2019 May 3;10:536. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2019.00536. eCollection 2019.

    PubMed 31130877
  • Bennie JA, Shakespear-Druery J, De Cocker K. Muscle-strengthening Exercise Epidemiology: a New Frontier in Chronic Disease Prevention. Sports Med Open. 2020 Aug 26;6(1):40. doi: 10.1186/s40798-020-00271-w.

    PubMed 32844333
  • Tiidus PM. Estrogen and gender effects on muscle damage, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Can J Appl Physiol. 2000 Aug;25(4):274-87. doi: 10.1139/h00-022.

    PubMed 10953066
  • Clarkson PM, Hubal MJ. Exercise-induced muscle damage in humans. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2002 Nov;81(11 Suppl):S52-69. doi: 10.1097/00002060-200211001-00007.

    PubMed 12409811
  • Impellizzeri FM, Bizzini M, Rampinini E, Cereda F, Maffiuletti NA. Reliability of isokinetic strength imbalance ratios measured using the Cybex NORM dynamometer. Clin Physiol Funct Imaging. 2008 Mar;28(2):113-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1475-097X.2007.00786.x. Epub 2007 Dec 7.

    PubMed 18070123
  • Drouin JM, Valovich-mcLeod TC, Shultz SJ, Gansneder BM, Perrin DH. Reliability and validity of the Biodex system 3 pro isokinetic dynamometer velocity, torque and position measurements. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2004 Jan;91(1):22-9. doi: 10.1007/s00421-003-0933-0. Epub 2003 Sep 24.

    PubMed 14508689
  • Kannus P. Isokinetic evaluation of muscular performance: implications for muscle testing and rehabilitation. Int J Sports Med. 1994 Jan;15 Suppl 1:S11-8. doi: 10.1055/s-2007-1021104.

    PubMed 8157377
  • Friedmann-Bette B, Bauer T, Kinscherf R, Vorwald S, Klute K, Bischoff D, Muller H, Weber MA, Metz J, Kauczor HU, Bartsch P, Billeter R. Effects of strength training with eccentric overload on muscle adaptation in male athletes. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2010 Mar;108(4):821-36. doi: 10.1007/s00421-009-1292-2. Epub 2009 Nov 25.

    PubMed 19937450
  • Wilke J, Behringer M. Is "Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness" a False Friend? The Potential Implication of the Fascial Connective Tissue in Post-Exercise Discomfort. Int J Mol Sci. 2021 Aug 31;22(17):9482. doi: 10.3390/ijms22179482.

    PubMed 34502387
  • LeBlanc AD, Schneider VS, Evans HJ, Pientok C, Rowe R, Spector E; New Collective Author. Regional changes in muscle mass following 17 weeks of bed rest. J Appl Physiol (1985). 1992 Nov;73(5):2172-8. doi: 10.1152/jappl.1992.73.5.2172.

    PubMed 1474100
  • Hotfiel T, Freiwald J, Hoppe MW, et al. Update: Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) - muscle biomechanics, pathophysiology

  • Burkhart SS, Morgan CD, Kibler WB. The disabled throwing shoulder: spectrum of pathology Part I: pathoanatomy and biomechanics. Arthroscopy. 2003 Apr;19(4):404-20. doi: 10.1053/jars.2003.50128.

    PubMed 12671624
  • Escamilla RF, Yamashiro K, Paulos L, Andrews JR. Shoulder muscle activity and function in common shoulder rehabilitation exercises. Sports Med. 2009;39(8):663-85. doi: 10.2165/00007256-200939080-00004.

    PubMed 19769415

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Isokinetic dynamometer in people with Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness Experimentally Induced, run by Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris at 1 site in France.

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 7 inclusion and 5 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 19 Oct 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 France. 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 Marie-Martine LEFEVRE-COLAU, MD,PhD (06 30 48 08 93 ext. +33, marie-martine.lefevre-colau@aphp.fr), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Composite Clinical and MRI Assessment of DOMS Evolution in Shoulder Rotator Muscles (time frame: 3 months). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07880782, which also lists 33 linked publications.

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 19 Oct 2026.

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