Eccentric Muscle Training in Cardiac Rehabilitation

NCT07636343 | Recruiting DMC

• 2 other identifiers: EDGE 002632Belgian Heart Fund
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 3
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this interventional study is to assess the training effects in a training schedule in which eccentric overload training and eccentric cycle training are used. Researchers will compare a training program of eccentric overload training and eccentric cycling training with a traditional training program of strength and cardio training in people with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. This study will be delivered in a cardiac rehabilitation setting.

Conditions

Strength Training Effects; HFrEF - Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction

Keywords

eccentric muscle training

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (6)

• 1Repetition Maximum (=RM) leg press (kg)

  One repetition maximum on leg press device Technogym BioCircuit. The patient is positioned correctly on the leg press (back supported, feet on platform in standardized way so that repeated tests are in the same position). The patiënt performes a maximal push, the load is automatically adjusted by the BioCircuit algorithm. The system identifies the maximum successful single push as the 1RM (kg).

  pre (baseline) + post (15 weeks)

• 1Repetition Maximum (=RM) Low Row (kg)

  One repetition maximum on the low row device Technogym BioCircuit. The patient sits with chest supported, feet on the ground, and grips the handles with arms extended. The patiënt performes a maximal pull, the load is automatically adjusted by the BioCircuit algorithm. The system identifies the maximum successful single lift as the 1RM (kg).

  pre (baseline) + post (15weeks)

• 1Repetition Maximum (=RM) chest press (kg)

  One repetition maximum on chest press device Technogym BioCircuit. The patient is positioned correctly on the chest press (back supported, feet on the ground in standardized way so that repeated tests are in the same position). The patiënt performes a maximal push, the load is automatically adjusted by the BioCircuit algorithm. The system identifies the maximum successful single push as the 1RM (kg).

  pre (baseline) + post (15weeks)

• 1Repetition Maximum (=RM) vertical traction (kg)

  One repetition maximum on vertical traction device Technogym BioCircuit. The patient is positioned correctly on the vertical traction (back supported, feet on the ground in standardized way so that repeated tests are in the same position). The patiënt performes a maximal pull, the load is automatically adjusted by the BioCircuit algorithm. The system identifies the maximum successful single push as the 1RM (kg).

  pre (baseline) + post (15weeks)

• Handgrip strength

  The Jamar handgrip dynamometer is used to measure grip strength in a standardized way ( 90° flex elbow, forearm neutral, and wrist slightly extended). 3 trials per hand are performed, with 10seconds rest in between. The average value is recorded as grip strength.

  pre (baseline) + post (15 weeks)

• Isometric Qceps peak torque (Nm)

  The subject is seated in the Biodex System dynamometer and securely strapped (trunk, pelvis, thigh). The dynamometer axis is aligned with the knee joint axis (lateral femoral epicondyle). The knee is fixed at 60° of flexion (0° = full extension). The lower leg is attached to the lever arm just above the ankle. The subject performs a maximal isometric knee extension (pushing against the immovable arm) for 3seconds. 3 tests are done with 10seconds rest in between. The highest torque value (Nm) recorded is taken as the quadriceps peak torque.

  pre (baseline) + post (15weeks)

Secondary Outcomes (6)

• 6mwt (m)

  pre (baseline) - post (15weeks)

• Time up and go (s)

  pre (baseline) + post (15weeks)

• VO2 peak (ml/kg/min)

  pre (baseline) + post (15weeks)

• maximal load (Watt)

  pre (baseline) + post (15weeks)

• VO2/W slope (ml/min/W)

  pre (baseline) + post (15weeks)

Study Arms (2)

Eccentric strength training + cardio

EXPERIMENTAL

45 sessions experimental protocol

Other: eccentric bike training; Other: eccentric overload training; Other: aerobic treadmill training

Traditional strength training + cardio

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

45 sessions traditional cardiac rehabilitation

Other: aerobic treadmill training; Other: aerobic bike training; Other: traditional dynamic strength training

Interventions

eccentric bike training OTHER

progressive following protocol, 10min

Eccentric strength training + cardio

eccentric overload training OTHER

dynamic strength training + eccentric overload, progressive over time, 3sets\*10reps (15-20min)

Eccentric strength training + cardio

aerobic treadmill training OTHER

aerobic training, progressive over time, 10 min

Eccentric strength training + cardio; Traditional strength training + cardio

aerobic bike training OTHER

aerobic training, progressive following protocol, 10 min

Traditional strength training + cardio

traditional dynamic strength training OTHER

dynamic strength training, progression over time, 15-20 min

Traditional strength training + cardio

Eligibility Criteria

• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• HFrEF patients with ejection fraction \<40%
• Exercise intolerance (\<85% of predicted VO2 peak)
• clinically stable for \> 6 weeks, optimal medical treatment for \> 6 weeks

You may not qualify if:

• Contra indications for cardiac exercise rehabilitation as per consensus guidelines and recommendations
• Musculoskeletal disorders that hamper (progression in) strength training
• Non-stabilized acute coronary syndrome
• Current acute heart failure (decompensation)
• Patient having sustained a recent (\<3 months) procedure that could act as a confounder to increase VO2peak (i.e., coronary artery bypass graft surgery, percutaneous coronary intervention, cardiac resynchronization therapy, valve surgery or reparation)

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University Hospital, Antwerp: lead

Study Sites (1)

UHAntwerp

Edegem, 2850, Belgium

RECRUITING

Central Study Contacts

Wendy Hens, PhD

CONTACT

0032 3 275 73 89; wendy.hens@uza.be

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: TRIPLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 1, 2025
• First Posted: June 9, 2026
• Study Start: January 20, 2023
• Primary Completion (Estimated): September 30, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): January 1, 2027
• Last Updated: June 9, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

BE (1)