High-Intensity Interval Alternating Concentric-Eccentric Training in Chronic Respiratory Disease

NCT07867535 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: FJUH115600
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 45
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effects of high-intensity interval training incorporating alternating concentric and eccentric cycling on functional performance in adults with chronic respiratory disease undergoing pulmonary rehabilitation. A total of 45 participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: high-intensity interval alternating concentric-eccentric training, high-intensity interval concentric training, or usual care. Participants in the exercise training groups will complete a 12-week supervised exercise program, while the usual-care group will continue routine care with self-regulated exercise intensity. Functional performance, exercise capacity, and patient-reported outcomes will be assessed before and after the intervention. The study seeks to determine whether incorporating eccentric exercise into high-intensity interval training can improve physical function while reducing cardiopulmonary and perceived exercise burden.

Conditions

Chronic Respiratory Disease; Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Keywords

Pulmonary Rehabilitation; High-Intensity Interval Training; HIIT; Eccentric Exercise; Concentric Exercise; Concentric-Eccentric Training; Exercise Training; Functional Performance; Exercise Capacity; COPD

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Change in 6-Minute Walk Distance

  The 6-minute walk test will be used to assess functional exercise capacity. The distance walked in 6 minutes on a 30-meter indoor corridor will be recorded in meters. Change from baseline to post-intervention will be compared among the three study groups.

  Baseline and 12 weeks

• Change in Timed Up and Go Test

  The Timed Up and Go test will be used to assess functional mobility, balance, and gait performance. Participants will stand from a chair, walk 3 meters, turn, return to the chair, and sit down. Three trials will be performed, and the fastest completion time in seconds will be used for analysis.

  Baseline and 12 weeks

• Change in Stair Climbing Performance

  Stair climbing performance will be assessed using a fixed number of stairs to evaluate lower-extremity strength, balance, agility, and functional performance. Completion time will be recorded in seconds.

  Baseline and 12 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Change in St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire Score

  Baseline and after 12 weeks of formal training

Study Arms (3)

Alternating Concentric-Eccentric HIIT

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will undergo a 2-week eccentric cycling familiarization period followed by 12 weeks of high-intensity interval training. During the high-intensity intervals, concentric cycling will be performed at 80% of peak work rate, while the recovery intervals will use eccentric cycling at the same external workload.

Behavioral: Alternating Concentric-Eccentric High-Intensity Interval Training

Concentric HIIT

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants will undergo 12 weeks of high-intensity interval concentric cycling training. High-intensity intervals will be performed at 80% of peak work rate, with recovery intervals performed concentrically at 40% of peak work rate.

Behavioral: Concentric High-Intensity Interval Training

Usual Care

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants will continue usual care with self-regulated exercise intensity for 12 weeks.

Behavioral: Usual Care

Interventions

Alternating Concentric-Eccentric High-Intensity Interval Training BEHAVIORAL

Participants will complete a 2-week eccentric cycling familiarization period followed by 12 weeks of supervised high-intensity interval training, performed twice weekly. Each formal training session lasts approximately 40 minutes and includes a 5-minute warm-up at 30% of peak work rate (Wpeak), 30 minutes of interval training, and a 5-minute cool-down at 30% Wpeak. The interval phase consists of five cycles of 2 minutes of concentric cycling at 80% Wpeak followed by 4 minutes of eccentric cycling performed at the same external workload as the high-intensity concentric interval.

Also known as: Alternating Concentric-Eccentric HIIT

Alternating Concentric-Eccentric HIIT

Concentric High-Intensity Interval Training BEHAVIORAL

Participants will complete 12 weeks of supervised high-intensity interval concentric cycling training, performed twice weekly. Each session lasts approximately 40 minutes and includes a 5-minute warm-up at 30% of peak work rate (Wpeak), 30 minutes of interval training, and a 5-minute cool-down at 30% Wpeak. The interval phase consists of five cycles of 2 minutes of concentric cycling at 80% Wpeak followed by 4 minutes of concentric cycling at 40% Wpeak.

Also known as: Concentric HIIT

Concentric HIIT

Usual Care BEHAVIORAL

Participants will continue usual care with self-regulated exercise intensity for 12 weeks. No structured high-intensity interval or eccentric cycling training will be provided as part of the study intervention.

Usual Care

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• Able and willing to provide written informed consent. Adults aged 18 years or older with chronic respiratory disease. Have participated in a pulmonary rehabilitation program for more than 3 months. For participants with an implanted cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), the programmed maximum heart rate must be higher than the target heart rate used during exercise training.
• Considered medically suitable for exercise training by a specialist physician.

You may not qualify if:

• Presence of a tracheostomy. Use of long-term home oxygen therapy or home mechanical ventilation. Severe left-sided heart failure classified as New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class III or IV.
• Diagnosis of a neuromuscular disease. Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) within the previous 3 months.
• Unable to complete or cooperate with cardiopulmonary exercise testing.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Fu Jen Catholic University Hospital: lead

Study Sites (1)

Fu Jen Catholic University Hospital

New Taipei City, New Taipei City, 24352, Taiwan

Location

Related Publications (5)

• Chao KY, Liu WL, Hsu HW, Chen HC, Lim AY, Wang JS. Eccentric cycling for chronic respiratory disease: Does helmet ventilation add value? A randomized controlled trial. Chron Respir Dis. 2025 Jan-Dec;22:14799731251404870. doi: 10.1177/14799731251404870. Epub 2025 Nov 25.

  PMID: 41290215 BACKGROUND

• Inostroza M, Valdes O, Tapia G, Nunez O, Kompen MJ, Nosaka K, Penailillo L. Effects of eccentric vs concentric cycling training on patients with moderate COPD. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2022 Feb;122(2):489-502. doi: 10.1007/s00421-021-04850-x. Epub 2021 Nov 20.

  PMID: 34799753 BACKGROUND

• Milanovic Z, Sporis G, Weston M. Effectiveness of High-Intensity Interval Training (HIT) and Continuous Endurance Training for VO2max Improvements: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Controlled Trials. Sports Med. 2015 Oct;45(10):1469-81. doi: 10.1007/s40279-015-0365-0.

  PMID: 26243014 BACKGROUND

• Harrison AJ, Burdon CA, Groeller H, Peoples GE. The Acute Physiological Responses of Eccentric Cycling During the Recovery Periods of a High Intensity Concentric Cycling Interval Session. Front Physiol. 2020 Apr 17;11:336. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2020.00336. eCollection 2020.

  PMID: 32362839 BACKGROUND

• Pancera S, Lopomo NF, Porta R, Sanniti A, Buraschi R, Bianchi LNC. Effects of Combined Endurance and Resistance Eccentric Training on Muscle Function and Functional Performance in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Randomized Controlled Trial. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2024 Mar;105(3):470-479. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2023.09.004. Epub 2023 Sep 15.

  PMID: 37716519 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Lung Diseases, Obstructive; Lung Diseases; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Chronic Disease; Disease Attributes; Pathologic Processes; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

• Hui-Wen Hsu, M.S.

  Fu Jen Catholic University Hospital

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Hui-Wen Hsu, M.S.

CONTACT

+886-2-8512-8888; 76wwocat@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: Participants will be randomized in parallel to one of three groups: alternating concentric-eccentric high-intensity interval training, concentric high-intensity interval training, or usual care.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: October 5, 2026
• First Posted: October 9, 2026
• Study Start: October 6, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): July 31, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): July 31, 2027
• Last Updated: October 9, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-10

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TW (1)