Clinical trial

E-Bike Commuting and Health in Overweight College Students

Active, not recruiting · Not applicable · 1 countries · Registry ID NCT07114991

Active, not recruitingNot applicableInterventional

What this study is about

This study will evaluate the effects of using a pedal-assist electric bicycle (e-bike) for commuting on physical activity, fitness, and health in overweight or obese college students. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a 12-week e-bike commuting intervention or a control group. The study will measure changes in cardiorespiratory fitness, body composition, blood biomarkers, physical activity, and psychological well-being over a 24-week period.

A promising-looking record is not the same as confirmed eligibility. The study team must review the full criteria and current recruitment status.

Basic eligibility

Age18 Years to 30 Years

SexAll

Healthy volunteersAccepted

ConditionObesity &Amp; Overweight, Sedentary Behaviors, Cardiometabolic Risk, Physical Inactivity

Full registry criteria

Inclusion Criteria: * Aged 18-29 years * Currently enrolled undergraduate or graduate student * Body mass index (BMI) ≥25.0 kg/m² (classified as overweight or obese) * Self-report of engaging in \<150 minutes per week of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity * Able and willing to safely ride a bicycle for commuting or transportation purposes * Willing to be randomized and complete all study procedures across 24 weeks Able to provide informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Current use of a bicycle or e-bike for commuting ≥2 times per week * Known cardiovascular, metabolic, or orthopedic conditions that limit physical activity or make exercise testing unsafe * Currently pregnant, planning pregnancy during the study period, or less than 6 months postpartum * Use of medications known to affect glucose metabolism, heart rate, or physical activity (e.g., beta-blockers, insulin) * Diagnosed severe mental health disorders that would impair study participation * Participation in another clinical trial or lifestyle intervention within the past 3 months * Inability or unwillingness to attend lab visits or comply with the intervention protocol

Treatments and study arms

E-Bike Commuting

Behavioral

Participants in the intervention group will receive a pedal-assist electric bicycle (e-bike), a helmet, safety training, and a cycling computer. They will be asked to use the e-bike for commuting or personal travel at least four times per week for 12 weeks. E-bike usage will be monitored using a Garmin Edge device. Participants will also complete baseline, 12-week, and 24-week assessments including fitness testing, blood tests, body composition, surveys, and wearable activity monitoring.

Primary outcomes

Change in daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (minutes/day)From enrollment to end of study at 24 weeks.

Physical activity will be measured using a hip-worn ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometer over 7 consecutive days at baseline, Week 12, and Week 24. The device will be analyzed using validated cut points to determine average daily time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). The primary outcome is the change in MVPA from baseline to Week 24

Change in cardiorespiratory fitness (VO₂peak, mL/kg/min)From enrollment to end of study at 24 weeks.

Cardiorespiratory fitness will be measured via a graded cycling test using a metabolic cart to determine peak oxygen uptake (VO₂peak). Participants will complete the test at baseline (Week 0), post-intervention (Week 12), and follow-up (Week 24). The primary comparison will be the change in VO₂peak from baseline to Week 12 between the intervention and control groups.

Study locations

1 locations were listed when this page was built. The first 40 are shown.

University of Wisconsin-River Falls🇺🇸 River Falls, Wisconsin, United States

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