An interventional study of Alternating Concentric-Eccentric High-Intensity Interval Training and Concentric High-Intensity Interval Training in Chronic Respiratory Disease and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, sponsored by Fu Jen Catholic University Hospital. Not yet recruiting at 1 site in Taiwan. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-10-09.
Sponsored by Fu Jen Catholic University Hospital · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
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.
Chronic respiratory diseases, particularly chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), are commonly associated with exercise intolerance, dyspnea, peripheral muscle dysfunction, and reduced quality of life. Although exercise training is a central component of pulmonary rehabilitation, patients may have difficulty tolerating conventional high-intensity exercise because of ventilatory limitation and leg fatigue.
Eccentric exercise can generate relatively high mechanical workloads with lower oxygen consumption and cardiopulmonary demand than concentric exercise. High-intensity interval training (HIIT), on the other hand, is an effective approach for improving aerobic capacity. This study therefore investigates whether incorporating eccentric cycling into the recovery periods of HIIT can provide additional skeletal muscle stimulation without substantially increasing cardiopulmonary stress.
This is a single-center, prospective, randomized controlled trial conducted at Fu Jen Catholic University Hospital. Forty-five adults with chronic respiratory disease who have participated in pulmonary rehabilitation for more than 3 months will be enrolled and randomly allocated to three groups, with approximately 15 participants in each group: (1) high-intensity interval alternating concentric-eccentric training, (2) high-intensity interval concentric training, or (3) usual care.
Before randomization, participants will undergo graded exercise testing, functional performance assessments, and questionnaires. Participants assigned to the exercise groups will complete supervised training for 12 weeks. The alternating concentric-eccentric group will also undergo an eccentric exercise familiarization period before the formal training program. Participants in the usual-care group will continue routine care with self-regulated exercise intensity for 12 weeks. After the intervention, graded exercise testing, functional assessments, and questionnaires will be repeated.
The study will evaluate changes in functional performance, exercise capacity, muscle function, symptoms, and quality of life to determine whether alternating concentric-eccentric HIIT provides additional benefits compared with conventional concentric HIIT and usual care.
4,252 studies on the registry are indexed under Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; 707 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 45 is below the median of 70 across 3,008 interventional studies indexed under Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive.
Browse Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive studies →Fu Jen Catholic University Hospital is the lead sponsor of 32 studies on the registry; 17 are open to participants now.
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Considered medically suitable for exercise training by a specialist physician.
Exclusion Criteria:
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.
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
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
Participants will continue usual care with self-regulated exercise intensity for 12 weeks.
Behavioral: Usual Care
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
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
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.
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.
Time frame: 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.
Time frame: 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.
Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks
Change in St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire Score
Health-related quality of life will be assessed using the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). Changes in total score from baseline to post-intervention will be evaluated.
Time frame: Baseline and after 12 weeks of formal training
Plan to share: No
From the registry record's own update history. This site started tracking changes on Sep 25, 2026; for anything earlier, see the record history on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
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Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive →
Fu Jen Catholic University Hospital