Trajectory of knee health in runners with and without heightened osteoarthritis risk: the TRAIL prospective cohort study protocol

Christian J Barton; Kay M Crossley; Matthew G King; Anthony G Schache; Adam I Semciw; James L Alexander; Brooke E Patterson; Danilo De Oliveira Silva; Adam G Culvenor; Stuart J Warden; Edwin H Oei; Michael Girdwood; Andrea M Bruder; Benjamin F Mentiplay; David L Carey; Richard T R Johnston; Richard B Souza; Joshua P Hill; Prasanna Sritharan; Valentina Pedoia; Melissa J Haberfield; Thomas J West; Paula J Pappalardo; Connie Briggs; Gustavo F Telles; Michael P Hedger; Mark Hulett

doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2022-068040

BMJ Open (Feb 2023)

Trajectory of knee health in runners with and without heightened osteoarthritis risk: the TRAIL prospective cohort study protocol

Christian J Barton,
Kay M Crossley,
Matthew G King,
Anthony G Schache,
Adam I Semciw,
James L Alexander,
Brooke E Patterson,
Danilo De Oliveira Silva,
Adam G Culvenor,
Stuart J Warden,
Edwin H Oei,
Michael Girdwood,
Andrea M Bruder,
Benjamin F Mentiplay,
David L Carey,
Richard T R Johnston,
Richard B Souza,
Joshua P Hill,
Prasanna Sritharan,
Valentina Pedoia,
Melissa J Haberfield,
Thomas J West,
Paula J Pappalardo,
Connie Briggs,
Gustavo F Telles,
Michael P Hedger,
Mark Hulett

Affiliations

Christian J Barton: La Trobe Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre, School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
Kay M Crossley: La Trobe Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre, School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Matthew G King: La Trobe Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre (LASEM), School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Anthony G Schache: 1 Latrobe Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
Adam I Semciw: 1 Latrobe Sports Exercise Medicine Research Centre, School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
James L Alexander: Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, UK
Brooke E Patterson: 1 La Trobe Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre, School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Danilo De Oliveira Silva: Department of Physiotherapy, Podiatry and Prosthetics and Orthotics, School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Adam G Culvenor: La Trobe Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre, School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Stuart J Warden: Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health & Human Sciences, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Edwin H Oei: 4 Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Michael Girdwood: La Trobe Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre, School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Andrea M Bruder: La Trobe Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre, School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Benjamin F Mentiplay: La Trobe Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
David L Carey: 1 La Trobe Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre, College of Science, Health and Engineering, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Richard T R Johnston: La Trobe Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
Richard B Souza: 3 Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
Joshua P Hill: general practitioner
Prasanna Sritharan: 1La Trobe University, La Trobe Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre, Australia
Valentina Pedoia: Center for Intelligent Imaging (CI2), Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
Melissa J Haberfield: 1 La Trobe Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre, School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Thomas J West: La Trobe Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre, School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
Paula J Pappalardo: La Trobe Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre (LASEM), School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Connie Briggs: La Trobe Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre (LASEM), School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Gustavo F Telles: La Trobe Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre (LASEM), School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Michael P Hedger: La Trobe Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre (LASEM), School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Mark Hulett: Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2022-068040
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 13, no. 2

Abstract

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Introduction Running is one of the most popular recreational activities worldwide, due to its low cost and accessibility. However, little is known about the impact of running on knee joint health in runners with and without a history of knee surgery. The primary aim of this longitudinal cohort study is to compare knee joint structural features on MRI and knee symptoms at baseline and 4-year follow-up in runners with and without a history of knee surgery. Secondary aims are to explore the relationships between training load exposures (volume and/or intensity) and changes in knee joint structure and symptoms over 4 years; explore the relationship between baseline running biomechanics, and changes in knee joint structure and symptoms over 4 years. In addition, we will explore whether additional variables confound, modify or mediate these associations, including sex, baseline lower-limb functional performance, knee muscle strength, psychological and sociodemographic factors.Methods and analysis A convenience sample of at least 200 runners (sex/gender balanced) with (n=100) and without (n=100) a history of knee surgery will be recruited. Primary outcomes will be knee joint health (MRI) and knee symptoms (baseline; 4 years). Exposure variables for secondary outcomes include training load exposure, obtained daily throughout the study from wearable devices and three-dimensional running biomechanics (baseline). Additional variables include lower limb functional performance, knee extensor and flexor muscle strength, biomarkers, psychological and sociodemographic factors (baseline). Knowledge and beliefs about osteoarthritis will be obtained through predefined questions and semi-structured interviews with a subset of participants. Multivariable logistic and linear regression models, adjusting for potential confounding factors, will explore changes in knee joint structural features and symptoms, and the influence of potential modifiers and mediators.Ethics and dissemination Approved by the La Trobe University Ethics Committee (HEC-19524). Findings will be disseminated to stakeholders, peer-review journals and conferences.

Published in BMJ Open

ISSN: 2044-6055 (Online)
Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Medicine
Website: https://bmjopen.bmj.com

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