Eccentric cycling
Eccentric cycling has been studied in 6 papers since 2019: 4 trials in people, 1 review; 3 in the past year. The newest paper, Mar 28, 2026: “Eccentric Cycling Improves Motor Learning More Than Concentric Cycling”.
6 papers study it5 findingsUpdated
See all 6 papers on eccentric cycling
At a glance
The findings reach people, from one lab or study. 2 independent labs in 2 countries.
“eccentric cycling AAE enhances motor learning more than concentric cycling AAE”
None of its findings points the other way.
- 2 independent labs in 2 countries
- Funders: Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo and 7 more
- Human trial4
Studies in people
3 studies gave eccentric cycling to people and measured what changed.
| What changed | Design | People | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trial25 min | 60 people26.2 ± 3.7 years oldYoung healthy individuals | Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports, Mar 28, 2026 | |
up: Improves physical function up: Improves cognitive function | Randomized trialeight weeks | 20 people50.8 ± 8.8 years oldMidlife adults; COVID-19 survivors with post-intensive care syndrome recruited six months after hospitalization | PloS one, Feb 6, 2026 |
down: Decreases malondialdehyde-22% | Randomized trial30 min | 10 peopleBoth60.4 ± 6.8 yearsOlder adults; moderate intensity, 50% POmax | European journal of applied physiology, Aug 27, 2019 |
What did studies of eccentric cycling find?
4Studies of eccentric cycling measured 4 outcomes; the most studied are motor learning (1 study), cognitive function (1) and physical function (1).
Motor learning
upin humans1
1 study
Motor learning
upin humans1
Eccentric cycling improves motor learning in humans (d = -0.537).
“Post hoc analyses revealed that the eccentric group performed better than both the concentric (p < 0.001, d = −0.297) and rest (p < 0.001, d = −0.537) groups, while the concentric group demonstrated better performance than the rest group (p < 0.001, d = −0.237; Figure ).”
Human trial25 minn = 60
Eccentric Cycling Improves Motor Learning More Than Concentric Cycling
Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports
Eccentric cycling improves motor learning in humans.
“eccentric cycling AAE enhances motor learning more than concentric cycling AAE”
Human trial20 minn = 60
Eccentric Cycling Improves Motor Learning More Than Concentric Cycling
Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports
Cognitive function
upin humans1
1 study
Cognitive function
upin humans1
Eccentric cycling improves cognitive function in humans.
“Eccentric cycling training induced greater functional and cognitive improvements than standard rehabilitation.”
Human trialCOVID-19 survivors with post-intensive care syndrome recruited six months after hospitalizationeight weeksn = 20
Eccentric cycling is superior to standard rehabilitation for Post-ICU recovery in COVID-19 survivors
PloS one
Physical function
upin humans1
1 study
Physical function
upin humans1
Eccentric cycling improves physical function in humans.
“ECC showed larger improvements in 6MWT, TUG, and Barthel Index compared to STD REHAB.”
Human trialCOVID-19 survivors with post-intensive care syndrome recruited six months after hospitalizationeight weeksn = 20
Eccentric cycling is superior to standard rehabilitation for Post-ICU recovery in COVID-19 survivors
PloS one
Malondialdehyde
downin humans1−22%
1 study
Malondialdehyde
downin humans1−22%
Eccentric cycling decreases malondialdehyde in humans (moderate intensity, 50% POmax) (-22%).
“MDA decreased (P < 0.05) after CONC-M (- 28%) and ECC-M (- 22%), but not after ECC-H.”
Human trialmoderate intensity, 50% POmax50% POmax30 min
European journal of applied physiology