Low-load leg exercise and calf muscle oxygen in pulmonary arterial hypertension
Studies light leg resistance exercise and calf oxygen in adults with pulmonary hypertension.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Understanding the Effects of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension on Lean Muscle Mass-Substudy
Key facts
- Where
- Philadelphia, United StatesSee the site
AI summary: who the study is looking for
From the trial's eligibility criteria. Machine-read from the registry text on this page, so it can be wrong. The registry text below and the trial team decide who can take part.
The trial is looking for adults with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) who are already in the main MUSCLE UP study at the University of Pennsylvania. It tests a low-load leg exercise program.
- Age
- 18 years or older
- Sex
- All sexes can join
- Disease stage
- PAH diagnosed within 6 months, or diagnosed and on stable therapy for 3 months. It must be confirmed by right heart catheterization (mPAP > 20 mmHg, PAWP or LVEDP ≤ 15 mmHg, PVR > 2 Wood units).
- Earlier treatment
- If PAH was diagnosed earlier, stable therapy for the 3 months before enrolling.
Main reasons for not taking part
- Moderately severe obstructive lung problem on breathing tests
- Severe restrictive lung problem on breathing tests
- More than moderate aortic or mitral valve disease
- LVEF < 40% within 1 year of screening
- Pregnancy
Read by machine on 11 November 2026.
Where in United States
- University of Pennsylvania HospitalPhiladelphia, United StatesTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- University of Pennsylvania
- Trial code
- NCT07781709
- Record updated
- 10 November 2026
- Original description
After completion of the Baseline study visit for the main study (MUSCLE UP-PH), participants at the University of Pennsylvania location will be invited to participate in an optional substudy. The substudy will implement a low-load resistance exercise training for the lower extremities, focusing primarily on the gastrocnemius muscles. The goal of this intervention is to understand how low-load resistance training will impact blood flow and oxygen tissue extraction on the lower legs.Read full original descriptionShow less
Understanding the Effects of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension on Lean Muscle Mass-Penn Pilot Low Load Resistance Exercise Training Substudy
After completion of the Baseline study visit for the main study (MUSCLE UP-PH), participants at the University of Pennsylvania location will be invited to participate in an optional substudy. The substudy will implement a low-load resistance exercise training for the lower extremities, focusing primarily on the gastrocnemius muscles. The goal of this intervention is to understand how low-load resistance training will impact blood flow and oxygen tissue extraction on the lower legs.
Inclusion: Signed informed consent prior to initiation of any study mandated procedure; Male and female patient's ≥ 18 years of age; Diagnosis of PAH belonging to one of the following subgroups of Group 1 PH according to the updated clinical classification [Humbert 2022]; Idiopathic (IPAH); Heritable (HPAH); Drugs or toxins induced; Associated (APAH) with one of the following:; Connective tissue disease; Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection; Congenital heart disease; or; Portopulmonary hypertension; Diagnosis of PAH within 6 months of enrollment or diagnosis of PAH and on stable therapy for 3 months prior to enrollment; Documented hemodynamic diagnosis of PAH by right heart catheterization (RHC), prior to enrollment showing:; mPAP > 20 mmHg; and; PAWP or LVEDP ≤ 15 mmHg; PVR > 2 Wood units.
Exclusion: Prior to enrollment, evidence of moderately severe obstructive ventilator defect with:; Prior to enrollment, evidence of severe restrictive defect with; More than moderate aortic or mitral valve disease; LVEF < 40% within 1 year of screening; FEV1/FVC ≤ 5th percentile; and; FEV1 z-score < -2.5; TLC < 5th percentile; FEV1 z-score < -4; Pregnancy.