Adaptation in the forearm bones of tennis players assessed using novel approaches

Exercise Effects on Forearm Bones in Tennis Players

S
Stuart Warden

Primary Investigator

Enrolling By Invitation
18 years - 24 years
Male
Phase N/A
40 participants needed
1 Location

Brief description of study

We are seeking adult males to participate in a study exploring the benefits of exercise on the human skeleton. and bone health. 

THIS STUDY IS ENROLLING BY INVITATION ONLY -   There will be two groups of participants--tennis players and controls. Tennis players will be identified by sending a recruitment email to members of college tennis teams at the 12 universities and colleges within 1.5 hours drive from Indianapolis. Tennis team members will be identified by viewing publicly posted online rosters. Controls will be recruited by sending an email to undergraduate students enrolled in the departments of kinesiology and health sciences at Indiana University Indianapolis.

Detailed description of study

There will be two groups of participants--tennis players and controls.  The study involves attending IU Health University Hospital on the Indiana University Indianapolis campus for a 3-hour visit where will assess the bones in your forearms.

During the visit, we will ask you to:
1.    Complete two short questionnaires
2.    Lie still for up to 20 minutes at a time while we take of images your forearm bones using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner
3.    Participate in another study called the Function, Imaging and Testing study where we will be asked to:
a.    Lie still for up to 3 minutes at a time while we take of images your arm bones using two different imaging machines
b.    Lie still for up to 10 minutes on a machine while a small force (up to 2 lbs) is applied to your forearm bones to measure their stiffness 
c.    Perform physical tests, such as walking as far as you can in 6 minutes, standing up from a chair as many times as you can in 30-s, and squeezing a force sensing device as hard as you can with your hand.
d.    Provide a blood sample

Eligibility of study

You may be eligible for this study if you meet the following criteria:

  • Conditions: Healthy
  • Age: 18 years - 24 years
  • Gender: Male

Inclusion Criteria
Tennis players will be included if they:
a)    Are male and aged 18-24 years
b)    Have been playing tennis for at least 10 years
c)    Currently play tennis on a collegiate-level team
d)    Concurrently enroll in the FIT Core protocol (IRB #1707550855)

Control individuals will be included if they:
a)    Are male and aged 18-24 years
b)    Do not have a history of participating more than 2X/month for >6 months in an activity that may preferentially load one arm (e.g., tennis, softball, javelin, table tennis, hammer toss, discus, etc.). 
c)    Concurrently enroll in the FIT Core protocol (IRB #1707550855; please refer to the separate protocol for further details related to specific inclusion and exclusion criteria in that protocol)

Exclusion Criteria
a)    Any known metabolic bone disease or prior or current administration of any bone-specific pharmacological agent (e.g., anti-resorptive or anabolic therapy)
b)    History of a forearm (radius or ulna) or wrist fracture in the past 5 years
c)    Surgery and/or immobilization for more than 2 weeks on either arm in the past 2 years
d)    Implanted metal (e.g., orthopedic hardware) at any of the imaging sites
e)    Contraindications for MRI
f)    Ineligible to enroll in the FIT Core protocol (IRB #1707550855; please refer to the separate protocol for further details related to specific inclusion and exclusion criteria in that protocol)

This study investigates how playing tennis affects the bones in the forearms of young adult males. Tennis is a sport that requires repetitive arm movements, which may influence bone health. The study will include two study arms: one with collegiate-level tennis players and another with non-tennis playing controls. Participants will be recruited from universities near Indianapolis.

Participants will visit IU Health University Hospital for a 3-hour session. During this visit, they will complete two questionnaires and undergo MRI scans to take images of their forearm bones. Additionally, they will participate in physical tests, such as walking, standing up from a chair, and squeezing a device, as well as provide a blood sample.

  • Who can participate: Male participants aged 18-24 years are eligible. Tennis players need at least 10 years of experience on a collegiate team; controls should not have engaged in activities loading one arm more than twice a month for over 6 months.
  • Study details: Participants will visit the hospital for assessments, including MRI scans and physical tests, and provide a blood sample. A placebo is not involved.
  • Study timelines and visits: The study will last for a single day. The study requires 1 visit.
Updated on 07 Jul 2026. Study ID: HHS-IIR-26732, 26732
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Interested in the study?

This study is accepting only persons who receive care at a certain clinic or doctor or who are part of an invited group. Questions about this study can be directed to the study team listed in the description or contact your doctor to see if you are eligible.

Accepting Referrals by Invitation Only