The goal of this project is to investigate the impact of high-load exercise, like the bench press with a large amount of weight as opposed to an exercise like the push-up, on the shoulder joint cartilage , tissue on the ends of our bones that cushion and protect them from damage, as well as assess how well qualitative assessments of personal pre- and post-exercise pain coordinate with cartilage structure. We predict that there will be a significant difference in pre- and post-exercise cartilage thickness.

The study involves one research visit where you will: lie on your back for 45 minutes while a study team member asks survey questions; have an MRI of your dominant shoulder that takes approximately 15-30 minutes; travel to the University Fitness Center on the Penn State Health Hershey's campus for the bench press exercise protocol; return for an MRI post-exercise on the same shoulder; complete a post-exercise questionnaire (approx. 30 minutes). Travel will be in your own vehicle. Total time about 6 hours.