Combined Arm-leg Ergometer Endurance Training Versus Cycle Ergometer Endurance Training in Myocardial Infarction

NCT07645040 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: REC/RCR & AHS/25/0311
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 40
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

Myocardial infarction (MI) often leads to reduced cardiorespiratory fitness, poor exercise tolerance, and decreased quality of life. Conventional rehabilitation mainly uses cycle ergometer training but may not adequately improve upper-limb function needed for daily activities. This randomized clinical trial aims to compare the effects of combined arm-leg ergometer endurance training and cycle ergometer training on cardiorespiratory fitness, exercise tolerance, and quality of life in post-MI patients. The study will be conducted in cardiac rehabilitation centers in Pakistan using 40 medically stable post-MI patients divided into two groups. Group A will receive combined arm-leg ergometer training, while Group B will receive cycle ergometer training. Sessions will be conducted 3 times weekly for 6 weeks. Outcomes will be measured using VO₂ peak, 6-minute walk test, and MacNew HRQOL questionnaire, with data analyzed through SPSS version 25.

Conditions

Post Myocardial Infarction

Keywords

Arm-Leg Ergometer; Cycle Ergometer; Myocardial infarction; Quality of Life

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• cardiorespiratory fitness

  measured by VO₂ peak. VO₂ peak is an objective measure of cardiorespiratory fitness, indicating the maximum amount of oxygen the body can utilize during intense exercise. It is typically recorded using a metabolic cart or estimated through submaximal or maximal exercise tests (e.g., using a cycle ergometer or treadmill). The higher the VO₂ peak, the more efficient the cardiovascular and respiratory systems are at transporting oxygen to working muscles

  Baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention

• exercise tolerance

  6-minute walk test. The 6MWT is a widely used functional exercise test to assess submaximal aerobic capacity and endurance. It measures the total distance an individual can walk on a flat surface in 6 minutes. The test is practical, cost-effective, and well-tolerated by cardiac patients. It reflects daily physical functioning and correlates with VO₂ peak in cardiac rehabilitation populations

  Baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention

• individual quality of life

  MacNew HRQOL questionnaire. The MacNew HRQOL questionnaire is a disease-specific, self-reported tool that assesses the emotional, physical, and social functioning of individuals with heart disease. It contains 27 items divided into 3 domains and is scored on a 7-point Likert scale. Higher scores indicate better perceived quality of life. It is validated for post-MI and cardiac rehabilitation populations.

  Baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention

Study Arms (2)

arm-leg ergometer ergometer

EXPERIMENTAL

Group A, undergoing combined arm-leg ergometer training, will participate in exercise sessions three times per week for six weeks. Each session will last between 30 minutes and will include a warm-up and cool-down period. The intensity of the training will be maintained at a moderate level, corresponding to 50-70% of the individuals heart rate reserve or a score of 11-14 on the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale, which reflects "light to somewhat hard" exertion. This protocol involves the simultaneous use of both upper and lower limbs, which may elicit a higher cardiovascular demand and greater systemic oxygen consumption

Device: arm-leg ergometer training

traditional cycle ergometer

EXPERIMENTAL

traditional cycle ergometer training, will follow the same frequency, intensity, and duration of training as Group A, but the type of exercise will be limited to lower limb cycling on a standard stationary bike. This mode of training targets aerobic endurance primarily through leg muscles, which is the conventional method used in postmyocardial infarction rehabilitation exercise sessions three times per week for 6 weeks

Device: traditional cycle ergometer training

Interventions

arm-leg ergometer training DEVICE

Each session will last between 30 minutes and will include a warm-up and cool-down period. The intensity of the training will be maintained at a moderate level, corresponding to 50-70% of the individuals heart rate reserve or a score of 11-14 on the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale, which reflects "light to somewhat hard" exertion. This protocol involves the simultaneous use of both upper and lower limbs, which may elicit a higher cardiovascular demand and greater systemic oxygen consumption, thereby potentially enhancing improvements in VO₂ peak and overall cardiovascular efficiency

arm-leg ergometer ergometer

traditional cycle ergometer training DEVICE

same frequency, intensity, and duration of training as Group A, but the type of exercise will be limited to lower limb cycling on a standard stationary bike. This mode of training targets aerobic endurance primarily through leg muscles, which is the conventional method used in postmyocardial infarction rehabilitation

traditional cycle ergometer

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 40 Years - 70 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Males and Females
• Patients with a history of myocardial infarction (MI)
• Medically stable for at least 1 month post-MI
• Age between 40-70 years.
• Willingness and ability to participate in exercise training.
• Medically cleared for exercise by a cardiologist.

You may not qualify if:

• Unstable angina or uncontrolled hypertension.
• Orthopedic/neurological limitations affecting participants.
• Arrhythmias
• Fever
• Cognitive impairment or non-consent

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Riphah International University: lead

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Myocardial Infarction

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Myocardial Ischemia; Heart Diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases; Vascular Diseases; Infarction; Ischemia; Pathologic Processes; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Necrosis

Study Officials

• Nimra Noor, MS-CPPT

  Riphah International University Lahore(Gulberg)

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Muhammad Iqbal Tariq Tariq, Phd*

CONTACT

333826752; iqbal.tariq@riphah.edu.pk

Nimra noor Noor, MS-CPPT

CONTACT

03030684869; nimranoor358@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Masking Details: Because of the physical nature of the interventions, both participants and investigators will know which treatment is being given. No blinding will be applied.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: A total of 40 medically stable post-MI patients will be recruited and randomized into two groups. Group A will participate in Combined Arm-Leg Ergometer Training, while Group B will receive Cycle Ergometer Training. Each session will last 30 minutes with a warm-up and cool-down period, which will be held 3 times per week for 6 weeks.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 8, 2026
• First Posted: June 12, 2026
• Study Start: June 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): August 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): August 1, 2026
• Last Updated: June 12, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share