How Hormones Affect Running: Joint Laxity and Biomechanics in Female Runners

Summary

We want to learn how women’s hormone changes across the menstrual cycle might affect the way they run. In this study, you’ll come to our lab for treadmill running and simple joint flexibility tests during two different times in your cycle. What we learn could help explain why women runners are more likely to get certain knee injuries and how to prevent them.

Eligibility

Currently recruiting participants: Yes

Eligible ages: 18 to 35

Accepts healthy participants: Yes

Inclusion criteria:

Eligibility Requirements:
1. Are female, aged 18–35.
2. Can run 5 km in under 35 minutes.
3. Have regular menstrual cycles (24–35 days for the past 6 months).
4. Currently track your menstrual cycle.
5. Have no lower-limb injury that causes pain or limits running in the past 3 months.

Exclusion criteria:

Non-eligibility criteria:
1. Are not pregnant or breastfeeding.
2. Do not use hormonal birth control.
3. Have not had major knee surgery (e.g., ACL reconstruction).
4. Do not have a medical condition or take medications that affect hormones or connective tissue (for example, thyroid disease, Cushing’s syndrome, or long-term steroid use).

Participate

Fill out the following form if you want to participate in this research

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Additional information

Contact information

Hanna Musnicka email: hanna.musnicka@ucalgary.ca

Principal investigator:

Benno Maurus Nigg

Clinical trial:

REB-ID:

REB25-1653