Effectiveness of Eccentric Cycling Exercise in Ambulatory Rehabilitation for Patients With Cardiopulmonary Diseases: A Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial

NCT07815366 | Enrolling By Invitation DMC

• 1 other identifier: AmbEcc Healthy
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 12
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

In eccentric cycling exercise (ECC), the cyclist must oppose backwards moving pedals on a specialized motor-driven ergometer. Throughout this process, the force applied on the pedals exceeds the torque generated by the lengthening muscle (negative work), concurrently generating and storing elastic recoil energy . During ECC the cyclist is able to reach fourfold higher forces compared to conventional concentric cycling exercise (CON). At identical work-rates however, ECC is associated with a lower cardiac output 5 and requires up to 80% less oxygen uptake than CON. Hence, ECC is described as a promising and efficient exercise method with low metabolic costs. ECC exhibits greater effectiveness compared to CON, especially in terms of increasing muscle strength, muscle hypertrophy, six-minute walk distance (6MWD). Acute studies during cycle ergometries have proven that ECC is effective to provide exercise at beneficial levels with low metabolic demand, even at low intensities in patients with chronic cardiopulmonary conditions, such as pulmonary hypertension or COPD. However, whether these benefits can be achieved in a real world setting such as an ambulatory rehabilitation is unknown. Therefore, the rational of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of ECC vs. standard training in healthy individuals during a three-month time period.

Conditions

Eccentric Cycling Exercise Training

Keywords

eccentric cycling; rehabilitation; exercise

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Peak work rate

  Peak work rate will be measured using standardized cardiopulmonary exercise testing on a cycling ergometer.

  Pre and post the three month exercise persiod

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Peak oxygen uptake

  Pre and post the three month exercise period.

• Patient reported perceived dyspnea at peak exercise

  Pre and post three month exercise period

• Patient reported perceived leg fatigue

  Pre and post three month exercise period.

• Peak quadriceps extension force

  Pre and post three month exercise period.

Study Arms (1)

Eccentric cycling

EXPERIMENTAL

Eccentric cycling for three month

Procedure: Eccentric cycling exercise

Interventions

Eccentric cycling exercise PROCEDURE

Participants exercise for three month on an eccentric ergometer

Eccentric cycling

Eligibility Criteria

• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Healthy participants without known Cardiopulmonary disease.
• Provided written informed consent
• Wiling to voluntarily exercise for 3 month on the eccentric ergometer without a specific indication for rehabilitation

You may not qualify if:

• Inability to follow the exercise procedure.
• Vulnerable participants (e.g. minors, participants incapable of judgment or participants under tutelage) will not be included into the study.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Zurich: lead

Study Sites (1)

Universitätsspital Zürich

Zurich, Canton of Zurich, 8091, Switzerland

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Motor Activity

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavior

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Prof. Dr. med.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 7, 2026
• First Posted: September 11, 2026
• Study Start: September 7, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): May 1, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): July 1, 2027
• Last Updated: September 11, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-09

Locations

CH (1)