Eccentric Exercise Rehabilitation After Myocardial Infarction (ECCENTRIC-MI)

Effects of Two-Week Eccentric Exercise-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation on Myokines, Exerkines, and Physical Function in Patients After Myocardial Infarction

This clinical trial will evaluate a two-week eccentric exercise program conducted as part of comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation in patients after a heart attack (myocardial infarction). Eccentric exercise involves muscle contractions while the muscles are lengthening and may allow the muscles to work at a relatively high load with a lower cardiovascular and metabolic demand than traditional exercise.

The main aim of the study is to determine whether eccentric exercise affects blood levels of proteins released or regulated in response to physical activity, including musclin, interleukin-6, and myostatin. The study will also evaluate whether the program improves physical performance and functional capacity.

Participants will complete eccentric cycling exercise on a semi-recumbent cycle ergometer during a two-week cardiac rehabilitation program. Blood samples and physical-function measurements will be collected before and after the intervention.

Study Overview

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Conditions: Cardiac Rehabilitation; Myocardial Infarction (MI)
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Standard Inpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation; Behavioral: Eccentric Cycling Exercise

Detailed Description

Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation is an important component of secondary prevention after myocardial infarction. However, some patients experience reduced exercise tolerance or fear of physical activity, which may limit participation in rehabilitation and contribute to physical deconditioning, loss of muscle mass, and reduced functional capacity.

Eccentric exercise is characterized by muscle contractions performed while the muscle is lengthening. Compared with traditional concentric exercise, eccentric exercise can provide a relatively high mechanical load to skeletal muscles while requiring lower oxygen consumption and imposing a lower metabolic demand. For this reason, eccentric training may be a useful rehabilitation strategy for patients who have limited exercise tolerance after myocardial infarction.

The intervention will consist of a two-week eccentric cycling program performed on a semi-recumbent cycle ergometer as part of comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation. The training is intended to provide controlled loading of the lower-limb muscles while limiting excessive cardiovascular strain.

The primary scientific objective is to evaluate changes in the molecular response to eccentric exercise, with particular emphasis on circulating myokines and exerkines. Blood concentrations of musclin, interleukin-6, and myostatin will be assessed before and after the rehabilitation period. The study will also evaluate changes in physical performance, muscle function, and functional exercise capacity using the assessments specified in the study protocol.

The findings may help determine whether eccentric exercise produces beneficial molecular and functional adaptations in patients undergoing cardiac rehabilitation after myocardial infarction.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 60
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Joanna Jaworska, PhD; Phone Number: +48503864566; Email: joanna.jaworska@awf.gda.pl
• Study Contact Backup: Name: Tomasz Klinkosz, MD; Phone Number: +48729716689; Email: tomaszklinkosz12@gmail.com

Study Locations

• Poland
  • Pomeranian Voivodeship
    • Wejherowo, Pomeranian Voivodeship, Poland, 84-200
      • Florian Ceynowa Specialist Hospital in Wejherowo
      • Contact: Joanna Jaworska, PhD; Phone Number: +48503864566; Email: joanna.jaworska@awf.gda.pl
      • Contact: Tomasz Klinkosz, MD; Phone Number: +48729716689; Email: tomaszklinkosz12@gmail.com

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria

• Documented history of myocardial infarction confirmed by medical records.
• Qualification for stage I comprehensive inpatient cardiac rehabilitation.
• Clinically stable condition allowing participation in exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation.
• New York Heart Association functional class I or II.
• Moderate or good exercise tolerance, defined as an exercise capacity of at least 5 metabolic equivalents, assessed during an exercise test.
• No cardiovascular contraindications to exercise testing or participation in exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation.
• Ability to understand the study procedures and follow the instructions provided by the study personnel.
• Provision of written informed consent to participate in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Any contraindication to exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation or exercise testing.
• Acute myocardial infarction within the first 4 days before planned initiation of exercise rehabilitation.
• Unstable angina.
• Significant left main coronary artery stenosis considered a contraindication to exercise by the treating cardiologist.
• Symptomatic cardiac arrhythmias.
• Symptomatic severe aortic stenosis.
• Decompensated heart failure.
• Acute pulmonary embolism or pulmonary infarction.
• Deep vein thrombosis.
• Recent or mobile intracardiac thrombus.
• Acute myocarditis, endocarditis, or pericarditis.
• Aortic dissection.
• Symptomatic acquired second- or third-degree atrioventricular block without appropriate cardiac pacing.
• Poorly controlled arterial hypertension.
• Recent stroke or transient cerebral ischemic event.
• Any acute or uncontrolled non-cardiovascular condition that may interfere with exercise testing or worsen during exercise, including febrile illness, clinically significant electrolyte abnormalities, uncontrolled hyperthyroidism, or clinically significant anemia.
• Physical or cognitive impairment preventing safe completion of the study procedures, exercise testing, or training intervention.
• Inability or unwillingness to provide written informed consent.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Non-Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: Standard Cardiac Rehabilitation; Standard stage I inpatient cardiac rehabilitation provided after myocardial infarction and individualized according to each participant's clinical condition and exercise capacity. The program includes standard kinesitherapy and exercise-based rehabilitation procedures.	Behavioral: Standard Inpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation; Standard stage I inpatient cardiac rehabilitation provided after myocardial infarction and individualized according to each participant's clinical condition and exercise capacity. The program includes standard kinesitherapy and exercise-based rehabilitation procedures.
Experimental: Standard Cardiac Rehabilitation Plus Eccentric Cycling; Supervised eccentric cycling exercise performed on a motor-driven semi-recumbent cycle ergometer in addition to standard inpatient cardiac rehabilitation. Sessions will last 10 to 30 minutes, with progressive adaptation during the first five sessions. Exercise workload will be individualized according to baseline exercise capacity. Perceived exertion and muscle soreness will be monitored during each session.	Behavioral: Standard Inpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation; Standard stage I inpatient cardiac rehabilitation provided after myocardial infarction and individualized according to each participant's clinical condition and exercise capacity. The program includes standard kinesitherapy and exercise-based rehabilitation procedures.; Behavioral: Eccentric Cycling Exercise; Supervised eccentric cycling exercise performed on a motor-driven semi-recumbent cycle ergometer in addition to standard inpatient cardiac rehabilitation. Sessions will last 10 to 30 minutes, with progressive adaptation during the first five sessions. Exercise workload will be individualized according to baseline exercise capacity. Perceived exertion and muscle soreness will be monitored during each session.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change From Baseline in Serum Musclin Concentration	Serum musclin concentration will be measured in fasting venous blood samples using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The outcome will be calculated as the concentration measured after the intervention minus the baseline concentration and reported in ng/mL.	Baseline and after completion of the 2-week inpatient cardiac rehabilitation program
Change From Baseline in Serum Myostatin Concentration	Serum myostatin concentration will be measured in fasting venous blood samples using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The outcome will be calculated as the concentration measured after the intervention minus the baseline concentration.	Baseline and after completion of the 2-week inpatient cardiac rehabilitation program
Change From Baseline in Serum Interleukin-6 Concentration	Serum interleukin-6 concentration will be measured in fasting venous blood samples using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The outcome will be calculated as the concentration measured after the intervention minus the baseline concentration.	Baseline and after completion of the 2-week inpatient cardiac rehabilitation program

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change From Baseline in Six-Minute Walk Distance	Functional exercise capacity will be assessed using the Six-Minute Walk Test. Participants will be instructed to walk as far as possible during 6 minutes along a designated walking course under the supervision of qualified medical personnel. The total distance covered will be recorded in meters. The outcome will be calculated as the post-intervention distance minus the baseline distance, with a positive value indicating an improvement in functional exercise capacity.	Baseline, before initiation of the inpatient cardiac rehabilitation program, and after completion of the 2-week intervention
30-Second Chair-Stand Test	Functional lower-limb strength will be assessed using the 30-Second Chair-Stand Test. Participants will be instructed to repeatedly rise to a full standing position and return to a seated position during a 30-second period. The number of correctly completed repetitions will be recorded. The outcome will be calculated as the post-intervention number of repetitions minus the baseline number, with a positive value indicating an improvement in functional lower-limb performance.	Baseline, before initiation of the inpatient cardiac rehabilitation program, and after completion of the 2-week intervention
Change From Baseline in Kinesiophobia Assessed Using the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia Heart	Fear of physical activity and movement related to the participant's cardiac condition will be assessed using the validated Polish version of the 17-item Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia Heart. Participants will complete the questionnaire according to the standardized scoring procedure. The total score will be reported in points. The outcome will be calculated as the post-intervention total score minus the baseline total score. A negative change will indicate a reduction in kinesiophobia, whereas a positive change will indicate an increase in kinesiophobia.	Baseline, before initiation of the inpatient cardiac rehabilitation program, and after completion of the 2-week intervention
Change From Baseline in Peak Force During the Isometric Mid-Thigh Pull Test	Maximal isometric lower-limb strength will be assessed using the Isometric Mid-Thigh Pull test performed on a force platform. Participants will perform a maximal isometric pull against a fixed bar while standing with partial flexion of the knee and hip joints. Peak force will be determined from the recorded ground reaction force signal and reported in newtons. The outcome will be calculated as the post-intervention peak force minus the baseline peak force, with a positive value indicating an increase in maximal isometric strength.	Baseline, before initiation of the inpatient cardiac rehabilitation program, and after completion of the 2-week intervention

Other Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change From Baseline in the Kynurenine-to-Tryptophan Ratio	Plasma kynurenine concentration will be measured in fasting venous blood samples using a validated analytical method. The outcome will be calculated as the concentration measured after completion of the intervention minus the baseline concentration.	Baseline, before initiation of stage I inpatient cardiac rehabilitation, and after completion of the 2-week intervention

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Medical University of Gdansk

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): July 22, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): July 21, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): July 21, 2028

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: July 22, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 22, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): July 27, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): July 27, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 22, 2026
• Last Verified: July 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Cardiac Rehabilitation; Kinesiophobia; Myokines; Functional Capacity; Eccentric Exercise; Exerkines; Eccentric Cycling; Post-Myocardial Infarction
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Vascular Diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases; Mental Disorders; Pathologic Processes; Heart Diseases; Infarction; Necrosis; Myocardial Ischemia; Ischemia; Phobic Disorders; Anxiety Disorders; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Kinesiophobia; Myocardial Infarction
• Other Study ID Numbers: GUMED-ECC-MI-001; KB/359/2026 (Other Identifier: Bioethics Committee for Scientific Research at the Medical University of Gdańsk)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO
• IPD Plan Description: There is currently no plan to make de-identified individual participant data available to other researchers. Study findings will be reported in aggregate form in scientific publications and presentations.

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No