---
title: "The GORUN Study: Gradual Onset of RUNning and Knee Joint Health in Novice Runners"
nct_id: NCT07528885
overall_status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
phase: NA
sponsor: University of British Columbia
study_type: INTERVENTIONAL
primary_condition: Osteoarthritis (OA) of the Knee
countries: Canada
canonical_url: "https://parkinsonspathways.com/agent/trials/NCT07528885.md"
clinicaltrials_gov: "https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07528885"
ct_last_update_post_date: 2026-04-14
last_seen_at: "2026-05-12T07:34:02.584Z"
source: ClinicalTrials.gov (mirrored, no enrichment)
---
# The GORUN Study: Gradual Onset of RUNning and Knee Joint Health in Novice Runners

**NCT ID:** [NCT07528885](https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07528885)

## Key Facts

- **Status:** NOT_YET_RECRUITING
- **Phase:** NA
- **Study Type:** INTERVENTIONAL
- **Target Enrollment:** 80
- **Lead Sponsor:** University of British Columbia
- **Conditions:** Osteoarthritis (OA) of the Knee
- **Start Date:** 2026-05
- **Completion Date:** 2030-12-31
- **CT.gov Last Update:** 2026-04-14

## Brief 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. 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.

## Eligibility

- **Minimum age:** 35 Years
- **Sex:** ALL
- **Healthy Volunteers:** Yes

```
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
```

## Arms

- **Healthy control** (ACTIVE_COMPARATOR) — Pain-free Individuals without radiographic evidence of knee osteoarthritis who will receive the running program intervention
- **Knee osteoarthritis group** (ACTIVE_COMPARATOR) — Individuals with knee pain and radiographic evidence of knee osteoarthritis who will receive the running program intervention

## Interventions

- **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

- **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.

## 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)_

## Locations (1)

- Motion Analysis and Biofeedback Laboratory, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

## Recent Field Changes (last 30 days)

- `status.overallStatus` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `status.primaryCompletionDate` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `status.completionDate` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `status.lastUpdatePostDate` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `design.phases` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `design.enrollmentCount` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `eligibility.criteria` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `eligibility.minAge` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `eligibility.sex` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `outcomes.primary` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `outcomes.secondary` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `armsInterventions.arms` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `armsInterventions.interventions` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `sponsor.lead` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `results.hasResults` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `locations.motion analysis and biofeedback laboratory, the university of british columbia|vancouver|british columbia|canada` — added _(2026-05-12)_

---

*Canonical: https://parkinsonspathways.com/agent/trials/NCT07528885.md*  
*Source data (authoritative): https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07528885*  
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