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Association Between Racket Stiffness and Lateral Epicondylalgia in Tennis Players

NCT07406802 · Status: ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING · Type: OBSERVATIONAL · Enrollment: 207

Last updated 2026-05-01

No results posted yet for this study

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. 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.

Conditions

  • Tennis Elbow

Interventions

OTHER

Adult tennis players

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.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • University of Oviedo

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Rubén Cuesta-Barriuso, PhD · Universidad de Oviedo

Eligibility

Min Age
16 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2026-02-13
Primary Completion
2026-04-01
Completion
2026-05-11

Countries

  • Spain

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07406802 on ClinicalTrials.gov