An interventional study of Eccentric cycling exercise in Eccentric Cycling Exercise Training, sponsored by University of Zurich. Enrolling by invitation at 1 site in Switzerland. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-09-11.
Sponsored by University of Zurich · Not applicable, Interventional, and Prevention
Among 32 studies in Motor Activity by University of Zurich — 1 open to participants now, 1 under way, none of them phase 3. Motor Activity · University of Zurich.
Among the 32 studies in Motor Activity by University of Zurich, this one is the 27th largest by planned enrollment of the 27 interventional ones, is the only one that started in 2026, is one of 24 with no phase, and was the 32nd registered.
9,798 studies on the registry are indexed under Motor Activity; 1,910 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 12 is below the median of 60 across 8,388 interventional studies indexed under Motor Activity.
Browse Motor Activity studies →1 of the 32 studies in Motor Activity by University of Zurich is open now, in 1 country. Each count lists the studies.
Of the 1,201 Motor Activity studies recruiting now, 517 (43%) set no upper age limit and 535 (45%) stop at 75 or younger; 180 take children under 18; 420 take healthy volunteers.
This study: all sexes · healthy volunteers too.
The full table on the hub →32 studies; the count open now beside each. This study's row is marked.
First in 2004; this study’s year is marked. 1 started in 2026.
Median enrollment 28 across the 27 interventional studies, 47 across the 5 observational. Of the 28 that completed or were terminated, 0 (0%) have results posted.
University of Zurich is the lead sponsor of 1,049 studies on the registry; 133 are open to participants now.
1 of the studies in Motor Activity by University of Zurich that are under way reach primary completion within a year, 0 of them phase 3. Phase 3 first, then by date:
| Study | Primary completion |
|---|---|
| NCT07815366University of ZurichEffectiveness of Eccentric Cycling Exercise in Ambulatory Rehabilitation for Patients With Cardiopulmonary Diseases: A Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial | 2027-05-01 |
Among the 32 studies in Motor Activity by University of Zurich, from their registry updates:
Nothing recorded among them since 2026-09-25.
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.
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 6 than CON. Hence, ECC is described as a promising and efficient exercise method with low metabolic costs. Some studies suggests that ECC may exhibit greater effectiveness compared to CON, especially in terms of increasing muscle strength, muscle hypertrophy, six-minute walk distance (6MWD).
A loss in muscle mass and sarcopenia is present also in the non-diseased population and is increasing with age. A yearly loss of muscle mass in the general population is around 1% at the age of 40 and increases to 2% at the age of 70. This loss in muscle mass can be accelerated in patients with chronic cardiopulmonary diseases and especially in patients with lung cancer undergoing systemic therapies, mainly as chemotherapy.
A recent systematic review with meta-analysis, including studies with a total of 867 patients with lung cancer, conclusively demonstrated that patients undergoing chemotherapy are at risk for a marked loss of skeletal muscle mass and sarcopenia.14 Another study found in around 50% of their lung cancer patients receiving chemotherapy a significant reduction in muscle cross sectional area.15 Sarcopenia has a high burden of disease and has been found to be associated with significant lower survival in patients, as well as with a range of negative outcomes including disability, frailty, morbidity, and reduced quality of life. To prevent sarcopenia patients with cardiopulmonary disease, and patients undergoing chemotherapy should perform regular exercise training. Supervised exercise training and three months of rehabilitation have been shown to be effective, safe and well-tolerated in patients with chronic cardiopulmonary or pulmonary vascular disease. Therefore, a three-month ambulatory rehabilitation program provides a reliable option for these patients to exercise regularly in a supervised setting.
However, patients with advanced cardiopulmonary diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, interstitial lung disease, or advanced stage lung cancer, often suffer from exercise intolerance. In patients whose cardiopulmonary limitations are so severe that they cannot even reach beneficial exercise intensities, the value of an ambulatory rehabilitation program needs to be carefully considered.
Nevertheless, with the features of ECC, even these patients are able to exercise at beneficial levels while maintaining a low metabolic demand. Previous studies have shown that ECC can be effective, even at low intensities, in patients with chronic cardiopulmonary conditions such as pulmonary hypertension or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Interestingly, patients additionally reported less perceived dyspnea with unchanged leg fatigue. Furthermore, ECC was associated with reduced pulmonary arterial pressure and improved right ventricular function.
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 on healthy individuals during a three-month training period.
To study potential underlying physiology and effects of ECC in higher exercise intensities, we will also include an exploratory healthy control group that will train similarly as patients with cardiopulmonary disease on the ECC during three month.
This trial investigates the healthy control group.
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.
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Informed consent
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Eccentric cycling for three month
Procedure: Eccentric cycling exercise
Participants exercise for three month on an eccentric ergometer
Peak work rate
Peak work rate will be measured using standardized cardiopulmonary exercise testing on a cycling ergometer.
Time frame: Pre and post the three month exercise persiod
Peak oxygen uptake
Peak oxygen uptake will be measured using standardized cardiopulmonary exercise testing on a cycling ergometer. The participant is connected with a metabolic unit via mouth peace. Oxygen uptake will be measured breath by breath.
Time frame: Pre and post the three month exercise period.
Patient reported perceived dyspnea at peak exercise
Patient reported perceived dyspnea at peak exercise will be measured using the Borg 10 item scale during standardized cardiopulmonary exercise testing on a cycling ergometer. At peak exercise the participant will be ask on a scale from 1 to 10 how he would rate the dyspnea
Time frame: Pre and post three month exercise period
Patient reported perceived leg fatigue
Patient reported perceived leg fatigue at peak exercise will be measured using the Borg 10 item scale during standardized cardiopulmonary exercise testing on a cycling ergometer. At peak exercise the participant will be ask on a scale from 1 to 10 how he would rate the leg fatigue.
Time frame: Pre and post three month exercise period.
Peak quadriceps extension force
The peak force that the quadriceps can produce during knee extension is measured on a isokinet.
Time frame: Pre and post three month exercise period.
Plan to share: Undecided
No publications or documents are linked to this record.
Started Sep 2026 (actual). Primary completion is estimated for May 2027, 7 months after the start.
Of 5,147 non-industry interventional studies with no phase under Motor Activity, half reached primary completion within 17 months of starting (the median), counting those still running; a quarter within 7 and three quarters within 36. This study's planned 7 months is below that.
Counting every sponsor, half of 5,207 studies reached it within 17 months; a quarter within 7 and three quarters within 36.
How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.
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