Osteo Arthritis Knee and HipNCT07073911
Effect of Exercise on Muscle Activity, Strength, and Balance in People With Knee Osteoarthritis
A study testing Exercise in people with Osteo Arthritis Knee and Hip, run by Gillian Hatfield at 1 site in Canada.
Trial summary
This will be a clinical trial of a standardized group exercise intervention, Les Mills Thrive, and determine if it alters muscle activation patterns and improves strength, balance, and symptoms in those with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 19 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Osteo Arthritis Knee and Hip
- What is being tested?
- Exercise
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 42 participants
- Where
- 1 siteCanada
- Study dates
- 26 Aug 2025to 19 Jun 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 19 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Participants must have received a diagnosis of knee OA from a physician and/or meet the American College of Rheumatology Clinical Classification Criteria for Osteoarthritis of the knee. The American College of Rheumatology criteria specify that a participant needs to have pain and fulfill three of the following six items: 1) aged 50 years or older, 2) no early morning stiffness or morning stiffness less than 30 minutes, 3) crepitus, 4) bony tenderness, 5) bony enlargement, 6) no palpable warmth
- They must pass the Get Active Questionnaire to ensure that they are safe to begin an exercise program (determined via recruitment email).
Who cannot join
- i) severe knee trauma, knee surgery, or intraarticular knee joint injections in the previous six months, ii) active synovitis, iii) concurrent neurological (i.e. Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's dementia, or polyneuropathy), endocrine (i.e., diabetes mellitus) and/or vestibular disorders which may affect balance, iv) chronic disease that may put them at risk during the exercise classes (i.e., history of heart failure, stroke, chronic obstructive lung disease), v) uncorrected visual impairment which may affect balance, or vi) an inflammatory rheumatic disease (i.e., rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, and chronic reactive arthritis).
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Canada1 site
University of the Fraser Valley
Chilliwack, British Columbia, V2R0N3
About this study
Official title: The Effect of a Group Exercise Intervention on Muscle Activation Patterns in People With Knee Osteoarthritis
This will be a clinical trial of a standardized group exercise intervention, Les Mills Thrive, and determine if it alters muscle activation patterns and improves strength, balance, and symptoms in those with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Muscle activation patterns will be assessed using surface electromyography, strength will be assessed using isokinetic dynamometry, balance will be measured using the Community Balance and Mobility Scale (CB\&M), and symptoms and typical activity will be measured using two questionnaires: the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE). These outcome measures will be measured at baseline and after a 12-week group exercise intervention (Les Mills Thrive) for 42 older adults with knee OA. Results of this study will be disseminated via a report to Les Mills International, in community presentations, at relevant academic (e.g. Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) annual conference) and industry (e.g. Medical Fitness Association annual meeting) conferences, in an academic journal publication (e.g. Arthritis Care \& Research), and through press releases or other media publications.
- Conditions
- Osteo Arthritis Knee and Hip
- Being tested
- Exercise
- Keywords
- muscle activity, gait, balance, strength
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
ExerciseBehavioural
Also called Les Mills Thrive
Les Mills Thrive is a 45-minute class that consists of flexibility, strength, and coordination exercises. This program aims to improve sensorimotor control and strength via functional weight-bearing exercises and floor exercises to isolate targeted hip and core muscles. In each class (whether in person or online), a certified Les Mills Thrive instructor will provide options to either increase or decrease the intensity of each exercise to cater to varying fitness levels and fluctuating symptoms. Each exercise has an assisted (using a chair for balance), body weight, and resisted (weight or exercise tubing) option. Participants will have the option to attend group fitness classes or do the classes asynchronously at home using a link to access a recorded class.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise program | Experimental | Les Mills Thrive is a 45-minute class that consists of flexibility, strength, and coordination exercises designed to be delivered in a group fitness environment. Participants will have the option to attend group fitness classes in person, or do the exercise program at home on their own asynchronously, using recorded classes as guidance. Receives: Behavioral: Exercise |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Quadriceps amplitude (Quadriceps PC1)
Surface electromyography (EMG) will be used to assess muscle activation patterns from the quadriceps and hamstrings. We will assess overall magnitude of activity as well as co-activation. These outcomes will be extracted from the EMG data using principal component analysis (PCA). PCA is a pattern recognition technique that extracts the main patterns in waveform data. It has previously identified patterns of quadriceps and hamstrings activity that are correlated with knee osteoarthritis progression. The first pattern extracted from quadriceps EMG waveforms (Quadriceps PC1) captures the overall magnitude (i.e. amplitude) of quadriceps activity.
Measured: From initial data collection to the end of treatment at 12 weeks
Quadriceps co-activation ( Quadriceps PC2)
Surface electromyography (EMG) will be used to assess muscle activation patterns from the quadriceps and hamstrings. We will assess overall magnitude of activity as well as co-activation. These outcomes will be extracted from the EMG data using principal component analysis (PCA). PCA is a pattern recognition technique that extracts the main patterns in waveform data. It has previously identified patterns of quadriceps and hamstrings activity that are correlated with knee osteoarthritis progression. The second pattern extracted from quadriceps EMG waveforms (Quadriceps PC2) captures prolonged quadriceps activity (i.e. co-activation).
Measured: From baseline data collection to the end of the intervention at 12 weeks.
Hamstrings amplitude (Hamstrings PC1)
Surface electromyography (EMG) will be used to assess muscle activation patterns from the quadriceps and hamstrings. We will assess overall magnitude of activity as well as co-activation. These outcomes will be extracted from the EMG data using principal component analysis (PCA). PCA is a pattern recognition technique that extracts the main patterns in waveform data. It has previously identified patterns of quadriceps and hamstrings activity that are correlated with knee osteoarthritis progression. The first pattern extracted from hamstrings EMG waveforms (Hamstrings PC1) captures the overall magnitude (i.e. amplitude) of hamstrings activity.
Measured: From baseline data collection to the end of the intervention at 12 weeks.
Hamstrings co-activation (Hamstrings PC2)
Surface electromyography (EMG) will be used to assess muscle activation patterns from the quadriceps and hamstrings. We will assess overall magnitude of activity as well as co-activation. These outcomes will be extracted from the EMG data using principal component analysis (PCA). PCA is a pattern recognition technique that extracts the main patterns in waveform data. It has previously identified patterns of quadriceps and hamstrings activity that are correlated with knee osteoarthritis progression. The second pattern extracted from hamstrings EMG waveforms (Hamstrings PC2) captures prolonged hamstrings activation (i.e. co-activation).
Measured: From baseline data collection to the end of the intervention at 12 weeks.
Secondary outcomes (5)
Balance (Community Balance & Mobility Scale)
The Community Balance and Mobility Scale (CB\&M) was developed to assess community-level functional deficits in dynamic balance (locomotor stability during movement) and mobility. It assesses advanced balance and mobility activities such as rapid direction changes and dual tasking. This tool has been found to be valid and reliable in adults with knee OA , and avoids the ceiling effects of other balance tests like the Berg Balance Scale in individuals who can ambulate independently in the community.
Measured: From baseline data collection to the end of the intervention at 12 weeks.
Knee extensor strength
Isometric knee extensor strength will be measured at 45 degrees of knee flexion using an isokinetic dynamometer. The participant will push as hard as they can against the dynamometer for 3 seconds. This will be repeated twice, with at least 2 minutes of rest between contractions.
Measured: From baseline data collection until the end of the intervention at 12 weeks.
Knee flexor strength
Isometric knee flexor strength will be measured at 55 degrees of knee flexion using an isokinetic dynamometer. The participant will push as hard as they can against the dynamometer for 3 seconds. This will be repeated twice, with at least 2 minutes of rest between contractions.
Measured: From baseline data collection until after the 12 week intervention.
Symptoms (WOMAC)
Knee symptoms will be assessed using the Western Ontario \& MacMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). This questionnaire assesses pain, stiffness, and function.
Measured: From baseline data collection until after the 12 week intervention.
Physical activity
Self-reported physical activity will be assessed using the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE).
Measured: From baseline until after the 12 week intervention.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted20 Jul 2025
- Study start26 Aug 2025
- Primary completion19 Jun 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion19 Jun 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Osteo Arthritis Knee and HipStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 42 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Gillian Hatfield
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Les Mills International
- Responsible party
- Sponsor-investigator, Gillian Hatfield, University of the Fraser Valley
- Investigators
- Gillian Hatfield, PhD, Principal investigator, University of the Fraser Valley
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07073911
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 101801
- Status last verified
- Apr 2026
- First submitted
- 16 Jul 2025
- Last updated
- 1 May 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: Primary and secondary outcome measures: EMG data, balance scores, WOMAC scores, knee extensor and flexor strength, PASE scores Also participant age, sex, gender
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 1 May 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effect of a Group Exercise Intervention on Muscle Activation Patterns in People With Knee Osteoarthritis
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07073911
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 101801
- Conditions
- Osteo Arthritis Knee and Hip
- Keywords
- muscle activity, gait, balance, strength
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Active, not recruiting
- Enrolment
- 42 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Gillian HatfieldUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Les Mills International
- Study start
- 26 Aug 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 19 Jun 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 19 Jun 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 20 Jul 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This will be a clinical trial of a standardized group exercise intervention, Les Mills Thrive, and determine if it alters muscle activation patterns and improves strength, balance, and symptoms in those with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Muscle activation patterns will be assessed using surface electromyography, strength will be assessed using isokinetic dynamometry, balance will be measured using the Community Balance and Mobility Scale (CB\&M), and symptoms and typical activity will be measured using two questionnaires: the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE). These outcome measures will be measured at baseline and after a 12-week group exercise intervention (Les Mills Thrive) for 42 older adults with knee OA. Results of this study will be disseminated via a report to Les Mills International, in community presentations, at relevant academic (e.g. Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) annual conference) and industry (e.g. Medical Fitness Association annual meeting) conferences, in an academic journal publication (e.g. Arthritis Care \& Research), and through press releases or other media publications.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise program | Experimental | Behavioral: ExerciseLes Mills Thrive is a 45-minute class that consists of flexibility, strength, and coordination exercises designed to be delivered in a group fitness environment. Participants will have the option to attend group fitness classes in person, or do the exercise program at home on their own asynchronously, using recorded classes as guidance. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 19 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Participants must have received a diagnosis of knee OA from a physician and/or meet the American College of Rheumatology Clinical Classification Criteria for Osteoarthritis of the knee. The American College of Rheumatology criteria specify that a participant needs to have pain and fulfill three of the following six items: 1) aged 50 years or older, 2) no early morning stiffness or morning stiffness less than 30 minutes, 3) crepitus, 4) bony tenderness, 5) bony enlargement, 6) no palpable warmth
- They must pass the Get Active Questionnaire to ensure that they are safe to begin an exercise program (determined via recruitment email).
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- i) severe knee trauma, knee surgery, or intraarticular knee joint injections in the previous six months, ii) active synovitis, iii) concurrent neurological (i.e. Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's dementia, or polyneuropathy), endocrine (i.e., diabetes mellitus) and/or vestibular disorders which may affect balance, iv) chronic disease that may put them at risk during the exercise classes (i.e., history of heart failure, stroke, chronic obstructive lung disease), v) uncorrected visual impairment which may affect balance, or vi) an inflammatory rheumatic disease (i.e., rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, and chronic reactive arthritis).
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| ExerciseAlso: Les Mills ThriveLes Mills Thrive is a 45-minute class that consists of flexibility, strength, and coordination exercises. This program aims to improve sensorimotor control and strength via functional weight-bearing exercises and floor exercises to isolate targeted hip and core muscles. In each class (whether in person or online), a certified Les Mills Thrive instructor will provide options to either increase or decrease the intensity of each exercise to cater to varying fitness levels and fluctuating symptoms. Each exercise has an assisted (using a chair for balance), body weight, and resisted (weight or exercise tubing) option. Participants will have the option to attend group fitness classes or do the classes asynchronously at home using a link to access a recorded class. | Behavioural | Exercise program |
Primary outcome
Quadriceps amplitude (Quadriceps PC1)
Time frame: From initial data collection to the end of treatment at 12 weeks
Surface electromyography (EMG) will be used to assess muscle activation patterns from the quadriceps and hamstrings. We will assess overall magnitude of activity as well as co-activation. These outcomes will be extracted from the EMG data using principal component analysis (PCA). PCA is a pattern recognition technique that extracts the main patterns in waveform data. It has previously identified patterns of quadriceps and hamstrings activity that are correlated with knee osteoarthritis progression. The first pattern extracted from quadriceps EMG waveforms (Quadriceps PC1) captures the overall magnitude (i.e. amplitude) of quadriceps activity.
Quadriceps co-activation ( Quadriceps PC2)
Time frame: From baseline data collection to the end of the intervention at 12 weeks.
Surface electromyography (EMG) will be used to assess muscle activation patterns from the quadriceps and hamstrings. We will assess overall magnitude of activity as well as co-activation. These outcomes will be extracted from the EMG data using principal component analysis (PCA). PCA is a pattern recognition technique that extracts the main patterns in waveform data. It has previously identified patterns of quadriceps and hamstrings activity that are correlated with knee osteoarthritis progression. The second pattern extracted from quadriceps EMG waveforms (Quadriceps PC2) captures prolonged quadriceps activity (i.e. co-activation).
Hamstrings amplitude (Hamstrings PC1)
Time frame: From baseline data collection to the end of the intervention at 12 weeks.
Surface electromyography (EMG) will be used to assess muscle activation patterns from the quadriceps and hamstrings. We will assess overall magnitude of activity as well as co-activation. These outcomes will be extracted from the EMG data using principal component analysis (PCA). PCA is a pattern recognition technique that extracts the main patterns in waveform data. It has previously identified patterns of quadriceps and hamstrings activity that are correlated with knee osteoarthritis progression. The first pattern extracted from hamstrings EMG waveforms (Hamstrings PC1) captures the overall magnitude (i.e. amplitude) of hamstrings activity.
Hamstrings co-activation (Hamstrings PC2)
Time frame: From baseline data collection to the end of the intervention at 12 weeks.
Surface electromyography (EMG) will be used to assess muscle activation patterns from the quadriceps and hamstrings. We will assess overall magnitude of activity as well as co-activation. These outcomes will be extracted from the EMG data using principal component analysis (PCA). PCA is a pattern recognition technique that extracts the main patterns in waveform data. It has previously identified patterns of quadriceps and hamstrings activity that are correlated with knee osteoarthritis progression. The second pattern extracted from hamstrings EMG waveforms (Hamstrings PC2) captures prolonged hamstrings activation (i.e. co-activation).
5 secondary outcomes
Balance (Community Balance & Mobility Scale)
Time frame: From baseline data collection to the end of the intervention at 12 weeks.
Knee extensor strength
Time frame: From baseline data collection until the end of the intervention at 12 weeks.
Knee flexor strength
Time frame: From baseline data collection until after the 12 week intervention.
Symptoms (WOMAC)
Time frame: From baseline data collection until after the 12 week intervention.
Physical activity
Time frame: From baseline until after the 12 week intervention.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 1 May 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. Primary and secondary outcome measures: EMG data, balance scores, WOMAC scores, knee extensor and flexor strength, PASE scores Also participant age, sex, gender
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Gillian Hatfield, PhD principal investigator
University of the Fraser Valley
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Exercise in people with Osteo Arthritis Knee and Hip, run by Gillian Hatfield at 1 site in Canada.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 2 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: under way, not looking for participants, as of the sponsor's last update on 1 May 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Canada. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Quadriceps amplitude (Quadriceps PC1) (time frame: From initial data collection to the end of treatment at 12 weeks). The study lists 4 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 1 May 2026.