Recruiting

Eccentric Overload Training

Sponsor:

University of Colorado, Denver

Code:

NCT07424352

Conditions

Knee Arthritis, Osteoarthritis

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 40 - 70

Healthy Volunteers: Accepted

Interventions

Eccentric resistance training

Study Details

Brief summary:

This study is testing whether a new type of exercise program, called eccentric overload training using a flywheel device, can improve stair-climbing ability in people with knee osteoarthritis. The flywheel device provides resistance throughout the entire movement and gives extra challenge during the muscle-lengthening phase of exercise. This type of training may improve muscle structure, strength, and coordination more effectively than conventional methods.

The study's central idea is that better muscle quality and improved coordination will lead to smoother, safer stair movement and reduce the risk of falls. Advanced tools such as ultrasound imaging and motion analysis will be used to measure muscle health and movement patterns in detail.

The hypothesis is that individuals with knee osteoarthritis have poorer muscle quality and less coordinated stair-stepping compared to healthy adults, and that performing eccentric overload training will enhance muscle quality, improve movement coordination, and make stair navigation safer and more efficient.

Conditions

Knee Arthritis, Osteoarthritis

Study ID

NCT07424352

Start date

Aug 20, 2025

Status verified date

Feb, 2026

Completion date

May 31, 2029

Anticipated

Primary completion date

Dec 31, 2028

Anticipated

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 40 - 70

Healthy Volunteers: Accepted

Inclusion Criteria Osteoarthritis (OA) Group:

  • Aged 40-70 years
  • Radiographically confirmed knee OA (Kellgren-Lawrence \[KL\] Grade 2 or 3)
  • Able to walk independently (assistive devices permitted)

Inclusion Criteria Healthy Control Group:

  • Aged 40-70 years
  • No radiographic evidence of knee OA (KL Grade 0 or 1)
  • No frequent knee pain
  • No history of:
  • Knee surgery (e.g., ACL reconstruction, meniscectomy, patellar realignment)
  • Significant knee injury (e.g., ligament tears, fractures, dislocations)
  • Diagnosed knee conditions (e.g., patellofemoral pain syndrome, bursitis)

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Uncontrolled hypertension or other cardiovascular disease
  • A musculoskeletal condition preventing physical testing
  • Neurological muscle weakness (e.g., stroke, spinal cord injury)
  • BMI >34.9 kg/m²
  • Recent hospitalization (past 3 months)

Study Design

Enrollment

60 participants

Anticipated

Allocation

Randomized

Intervention Model

Crossover

Primary purpose

Basic Science

Interventions and Outcome Measures

Arms

experimental: Initial-Exercise'

The initial exercise group will participate in an 8-week eccentric overload exercise intervention using a kBox, with two sessions per week. Participants will then cease the intervention for 8 weeks to enter a detraining period.

experimental: Delayed-Exercise

The 'Delayed-Exercise' group will maintain their normal activity, without intervention, for the first 8 weeks of the study. In the second half of the study, they will begin the same 8-week kBox training completed by the 'Initial-Exercise' group.

Interventions

Eccentric resistance training

The intervention consists of an eccentric overload resistance training program using a portable flywheel exercise device (kBox). This device generates resistance through inertia, meaning that the load is created by the individual's own movement speed and the effort applied. Participants with knee osteoarthritis will train with the flywheel system for 8 weeks, completing two to three sessions each week, with each session lasting approximately 30 to 45 minutes. The program will focus on functional lower-limb exercises such as squats, step-ups, and knee extensions. These exercises are chosen because they closely mimic everyday movements like climbing and descending stairs. Participants randomized to the delayed-exercise subgroup will continue with usual activity and medical care for the first 8 weeks, serving as a comparison group. After this waiting period, the delayed group will then be offered the same flywheel training protocol.

Primary outcome measure

  • Stair-stepping smoothness [ Time Frame: Baseline, up to 10 weeks, up to 19 weeks ]

Central Contacts and Locations

Central contacts

Katie Boncella, MS

7207241786katie.boncella@cuanschutz.edu

Michael Harris-Love, PT, MPT, DSc, FGSA, FAPTA

303-724-0687michael.harris-love@cuanschutz.edu

Locations

University of Colorado, Denver

Recruiting

Aurora, Colorado, United States, 80045

Contacts

Katie Boncella

720-724-1786katie.boncella@cuanschutz.edu

Principal Investigator:

Michael Harris-Love, PT, MPT, DSc, FGSA, FAPTA

More Information

Sponsor

University of Colorado, Denver

Last update posted

Feb 20, 2026

Last verified

Feb, 2026

Trial information was received from ClinicalTrials.gov and was last updated on 2026-09-10. This information was provided to ClinicalTrials.gov by University of Colorado, Denver on 2026-02-20.