Short-term supraspinatus tendon changes after two shoulder exercise sessions.

Supraspinatus Tendon Acute Effects After Two Exercise Exposures: a Crossover Randomized Trial.

Not applicable Interventional University of Florida · NCT07489937

This study will test whether two different 15-minute shoulder exercise programs cause short-term tendon changes in adults with and without shoulder pain.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment24 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 45 Years
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Florida Academic / other
Locations1 site (Gainesville, Florida)
Trial IDNCT07489937 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Adults with and without unilateral shoulder pain will each complete two different supervised shoulder exercise sessions (isotonic and plyometric) in a randomized crossover order separated by up to 15 days. Researchers will use ultrasound to measure supraspinatus tendon appearance before exercise and at 1 hour, 6 hours, and 24 hours after each session. Participants will also report pain levels, complete pain-sensitivity testing, and fill out questionnaires about symptoms and function. Tendon responses after each exercise type will be compared within individuals and between the pain and control groups.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults 18–45 who can perform moderate shoulder activity, either with unilateral shoulder pain averaging ≥3/10 in the past week or pain-free controls with no shoulder pain in the last six months, are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: People with full rotator cuff tears, prior shoulder surgery, frozen shoulder, bilateral shoulder pain, shoulder instability, recent corticosteroid injection, uncontrolled diabetes, significant cardiac/neurological/systemic disease, pregnancy, or inability to perform moderate shoulder activity are unlikely to benefit.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, results could help clinicians choose shoulder exercises that produce less harmful short-term tendon changes and better guide rehabilitation strategies.

How similar studies have performed: Prior small studies have reported short-term changes in tendon thickness and mechanical properties after loading, but results are mixed and direct comparisons between isotonic and plyometric loading are limited.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
General inclusion criteria

1. Between 18 and 45 years of age
2. Able to perform physical activity with their shoulder (moderate arm exercise for 15 min, such as tennis or housework)

General exclusion criteria

1. Shoulder fracture
2. Frozen shoulder (\>50% restriction in shoulder range of motion)
3. Shoulder surgery
4. Full rotator-cuff tears
5. Bilateral shoulder pain
6. Shoulder instability (history or positive apprehension test)
7. Corticosteroid injection in the last 6 weeks
8. Neurological diseases
9. Cardiological diseases
10. Systemic diseases (rheumatic diseases, autoimmune diseases)
11. Uncontrolled diabetes
12. Pregnancy

Group-specific inclusion criteria

1. Shoulder pain group: report unilateral shoulder pain with an average shoulder pain score of≥ 3 in the last week.
2. Control group: report no shoulder pain within 6 months.

Where this trial is running

Gainesville, Florida

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Shoulder PainHealthy Adultrotator cuff related shoulder painrotator cuff tendinopathyshoulder paintendon thicknessexercisesubacromial pain
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.