An interventional study of eccentric bike training and eccentric overload training in Strength Training Effects and HFrEF - Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction, sponsored by University Hospital, Antwerp. Recruiting at 1 site in Belgium. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-06-09.
Sponsored by University Hospital, Antwerp · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
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.
Patients with HFrEF experience in general more difficulties completing exercise training trajectory because of low physical fitness and multiple comorbidies.
In this study traditional exercise capacity outcomes are assessed eg. endurance capacity, muscle strength and muscle mass in patients with HFrEF.
It is hypothesized that greater muscle strength and muscle mass are obtained by eccentric muscle training in comparison with conventional training because higher training volumes can be used with a lower metabolic demand.
Possibly, a better outcome regarding muscle function and mass will influence VO2 peak and functionality in this patient population.
6,331 studies on the registry are indexed under Heart Failure; 1,396 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 3 is below the median of 76 across 4,049 interventional studies indexed under Heart Failure.
Browse Heart Failure studies →University Hospital, Antwerp is the lead sponsor of 242 studies on the registry; 66 are open to participants now.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.
Exclusion Criteria:
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
The share of blood the heart’s main pumping chamber (the left ventricle) pushes out with each beat, measured by an echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) or a MUGA scan. About 50–70% is normal.
LVEF (left ventricular ejection fraction)
The share of blood the heart’s main pumping chamber (the left ventricle) pushes out with each beat, measured by an echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) or a MUGA scan. About 50–70% is normal.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
45 sessions experimental protocol
Other: eccentric bike training · Other: eccentric overload training · Other: aerobic treadmill training
45 sessions traditional cardiac rehabilitation
Other: aerobic treadmill training · Other: aerobic bike training · Other: traditional dynamic strength training
progressive following protocol, 10min
dynamic strength training + eccentric overload, progressive over time, 3sets\*10reps (15-20min)
aerobic training, progressive over time, 10 min
aerobic training, progressive following protocol, 10 min
dynamic strength training, progression over time, 15-20 min
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).
Time frame: 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).
Time frame: 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).
Time frame: 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).
Time frame: 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.
Time frame: 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.
Time frame: pre (baseline) + post (15weeks)
6mwt (m)
The 6-minute walk test (6MWT) assesses functional exercise capacity by measuring the distance walked in 6 minutes. It is performed on the same flat, straight corridor (50 meter) with marked turnaround points. The participant is instructed to walk as fast as possible at a self-paced speed. Standardized encouragement is given every minute. A timer is started at the beginning and stopped at 6 minutes. The total distance walked is measured in meters.
Time frame: pre (baseline) - post (15weeks)
Time up and go (s)
The participant starts seated in a standard chair (back against the chair, no armrests) On the command "go," the participant stands up, walks 3 meters, turns around, walks back, and sits down again. Timing starts on "go" and stops when the participant is seated again with the back against the chair). The test is performed 3 times (with 20seconds rest in between). The outcome is the mean time taken to complete the 3 tasks (seconds).
Time frame: pre (baseline) + post (15weeks)
VO2 peak (ml/kg/min)
VO₂peak is measured during a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) on a cycle ergometer. The test is performed on a Lode Corival ergometer with breath-by-breath gas analysis via a Vyaire Medical system. After calibration of flow and gas analyzers, the subject is fitted with a mask and monitoring devices (ECG, BP). A short resting phase and unloaded cycling (warm-up) are performed. Workload then increases continuously using an individualized ramp protocol (e.g. 5-20 Watt/min - so small increase every 3-12 seconds). The same protocol is used in the pre and post test. The participant cycles at a constant cadence(≈60-70 revolutions/min) until volitional exhaustion. Expired gases are analyzed to determine oxygen uptake (VO₂) and carbon dioxide production (VCO₂). Strong verbal encouragement is given to reach maximal effort. VO₂peak is defined as the mean VO₂ value averaged over the final 30 seconds of exercise. Test termination follows symptom limitation or standard clinical safety criteria.
Time frame: pre (baseline) + post (15weeks)
maximal load (Watt)
Wattmax is determined during a CPET performed on a Lode Corival ergometer with monitoring via a Vyaire Medical system. After calibration of flow and gas analyzers, the subject is fitted with a mask and monitoring devices (ECG, BP). A short resting phase and unloaded cycling (warm-up) are performed. Workload then increases continuously using an individualized ramp protocol (e.g. 5-20 Watt/min - so small increase every 3-12 seconds). The same protocol is used in the pre and post test. The participant cycles at a constant cadence (≈60-70 revolutions/min) until volitional exhaustion. Wattmax is defined as the highest workload (in watts) achieved in the final stage. Strong encouragement is provided to achieve maximal effort.
Time frame: pre (baseline) + post (15weeks)
VO2/W slope (ml/min/W)
VO2/W slope is measured during a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) on a cycle ergometer. The test is performed on a Lode Corival ergometer with breath-by-breath gas analysis via a Vyaire Medical system. After calibration of flow and gas analyzers, the subject is fitted with a mask and monitoring devices (ECG, BP). A short resting phase and unloaded cycling (warm-up) are performed. Workload then increases continuously using an individualized ramp protocol (e.g. 5-20 Watt/min - so small increase every 3-12 seconds). The same protocol is used in the pre and post test. The participant cycles at a constant cadence (≈60-70 revolutions/min) until volitional exhaustion. The relationship between VO₂ (y-axis) and work rate (x-axis) is plotted. A linear regression is applied. The slope of this line represents the VO₂/W slope (mL/min/W).
Time frame: pre (baseline) + post (15weeks)
VE/VCO2 slope
The VE/VCO₂ slope is measured during CPET on a Lode Corival ergometer with breath-by-breath analysis via Vyaire Medical. After calibration of flow and gas analyzers, the subject is fitted with a mask and monitoring devices (ECG, BP). A short resting phase and unloaded cycling (warm-up) are performed. Workload then increases continuously using an individualized ramp protocol (e.g. 5-20 Watt/min - so small increase every 3-12 seconds). The same protocol is used in the pre and post test. The participant cycles at a constant cadence (≈60-70 revolutions/min) until volitional exhaustion. VE is plotted against VCO₂ over the course of exercise. A linear regression is applied from the start of exercise up to the ventilatory compensation point. The slope of this relationship represents the VE/VCO₂ slope.
Time frame: pre (baseline) + post (15weeks)
PDFs hosted by the registry, ClinicalTrials.gov.
Plan to share: No — depending on collaboration - if in line with privacy policy this might be done
Started Jan 2023 (actual). Primary completion is estimated for Sep 2026, 44 months after the start.
Of 1,118 non-industry interventional studies with no phase under Heart Failure, half reached primary completion within 29 months of starting (the median), counting those still running; a quarter within 16 and three quarters within 50. This study's planned 44 months is above that.
Counting every sponsor, half of 1,354 studies reached it within 31 months; a quarter within 16 and three quarters within 52.
How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.
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