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Knee Osteoarthritis Rehabilitation Through Rotational Inertia
Exploring the Benefits of Eccentric Training for Aging Adults With Knee Osteoarthritis
Who can join
Ages 40 to 70 · All sexes · Healthy volunteers welcome
Full eligibility criteria
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)
About the study
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.
What is being tested
- Eccentric resistance training (other)
Sponsor: University of Colorado, Denver · Participants: 60 · Started: Aug 20, 2025
Contact the study team
- Katie Boncella, MS · Phone: 7207241786
- Michael Harris-Love, PT, MPT, DSc, FGSA, FAPTA · Phone: 303-724-0687
Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT07424352
Locations in the U.S.
| Colorado | University of Colorado, Denver, Aurora |
Conditions
From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Sep 30, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.