Association Between Racket Stiffness and Lateral Epicondylalgia in Tennis Players: A Multicenter Observational Study
试验速览
- 阶段
- 不适用
- 状态
- 进行中（未招募）
- 入组人数
- 207
- 试验地点
- 1
- 主要终点
- Measurement of Clinical of lateral epicondylalgia within the previous 12 months.
研究概览
简要总结
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.
研究设计
- 研究类型
- Observational
- 观察模型
- Cohort
- 时间视角
- Cross Sectional
入排标准
- 年龄范围
- 16 Years 至 —（Child, Adult, Older Adult）
- 性别
- All
- 接受健康志愿者
- 是
入选标准
- •Tennis players aged 16 years or older.
- •Regular tennis practice over the previous 12 months, defined as at least one weekly training or competition session.
- •Habitual use of an adult tennis racket weighing more than 280 grams for training and competition for a minimum period of three months prior to data collection.
- •Provision of written informed consent. Players with a history of elbow pain related to tennis practice will be eligible for inclusion and this information will be recorded as an independent clinical variable.
排除标准
- •Players with a history of upper-limb surgery within the previous year.
- •Athletes with a prior medical diagnosis of neurological or rheumatological disease that could affect the upper limb.
- •Athletes who sustained an acute traumatic injury to the shoulder, elbow, or wrist within the six months preceding the study.
- •Participants who fail to complete the study questionnaires correctly.
研究组 & 干预措施
Observacional group
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.
干预措施: Adult tennis players (Other)
结局指标
主要结局
Measurement of Clinical of lateral epicondylalgia within the previous 12 months.
时间窗: Screening visit
Lateral epicondylalgia will be assessed using the Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE) Questionnaire. This instrument evaluates pain and functional disability in individuals with lateral epicondylalgia. The questionnaire consists of 15 items. The total PRTEE score is transformed to a 0-100 scale, where 0 indicates no pain or disability and 100 represents the worst possible pain and functional impairment.
次要结局
- Measurement of racket stiffness.(Screening visit)
- Measurement of string age.(Screening visit)
- Measurement of vibration dampener use(Screening visit)
- Measurement of load exposure and playing technique(Screening visit)
- Measurement of load exposure and technique.(Screening visit)
研究者
Ruben Cuesta Barriuso
Principal Investigator
University of Oviedo