E-Bike Commuting and Health in Overweight College Students
Effects of Pedal-Assist E-Bike Commuting on Cardiometabolic Health, Physical Activity, and Psychological Well-Being in Overweight College Students
1 other identifier
interventional
60
1 country
1
Brief Summary
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.
Trial Health
Trial Health Score
Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach
participants targeted
Target at P25-P50 for not_applicable
Started May 2025
1 active site
Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.
Trial Relationships
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Study Timeline
Key milestones and dates
Study Start
First participant enrolled
May 1, 2025
CompletedFirst Submitted
Initial submission to the registry
August 4, 2025
CompletedFirst Posted
Study publicly available on registry
August 11, 2025
CompletedPrimary Completion
Last participant's last visit for primary outcome
June 30, 2026
ExpectedStudy Completion
Last participant's last visit for all outcomes
June 30, 2026
August 11, 2025
August 1, 2025
1.2 years
August 4, 2025
August 4, 2025
Conditions
Keywords
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcomes (2)
Change in daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (minutes/day)
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
From enrollment to end of study at 24 weeks.
Change in cardiorespiratory fitness (VO₂peak, mL/kg/min)
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.
From enrollment to end of study at 24 weeks.
Secondary Outcomes (4)
Change in body fat percentage
From enrollment to end of study at 24 weeks.
Change in total cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, and triglycerides (mg/dL)
From enrollment to end of study at 24 weeks.
Change in fasting blood glucose (mg/dL)
From enrollment to end of study at 24 weeks.
Change in exercise motivation (BREQ-3 score)
From enrollment to end of study at 24 weeks.
Study Arms (2)
Experimental Group
EXPERIMENTALParticipants in this group will receive a pedal-assist electric bicycle (e-bike), helmet, safety training, and cycling computer. They will be instructed to use the e-bike for commuting or transportation at least four days per week for 12 weeks. They will also complete assessments at baseline, Week 12, and Week 24, including fitness testing, body composition, blood testing, surveys, and activity monitoring.
Control Group
NO INTERVENTIONParticipants in the control group will maintain their usual commuting and physical activity habits for the 12-week intervention period. They will complete the same assessments as the intervention group at baseline, Week 12, and Week 24.
Interventions
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.
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if:
- 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
You may not qualify if:
- 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
Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.
Sponsors & Collaborators
Study Sites (1)
University of Wisconsin-River Falls
River Falls, Wisconsin, 54022, United States
Related Publications (4)
Peterman JE, Morris KL, Kram R, Byrnes WC. Pedelecs as a physically active transportation mode. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2016 Aug;116(8):1565-73. doi: 10.1007/s00421-016-3408-9. Epub 2016 Jun 14.
PMID: 27299435BACKGROUNDBerntsen S, Malnes L, Langaker A, Bere E. Physical activity when riding an electric assisted bicycle. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2017 Apr 26;14(1):55. doi: 10.1186/s12966-017-0513-z.
PMID: 28446180BACKGROUNDJohnson L, O'Hara BJ, Phongsavan P, et al. Exploring the feasibility of a 6-week electric-bike intervention with behavioural support in Australia. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2021;18(16):8684
BACKGROUNDBourne JE, Sauchelli S, Perry R, Page A, Leary S, England C, Cooper AR. Health benefits of electrically-assisted cycling: a systematic review. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2018 Nov 21;15(1):116. doi: 10.1186/s12966-018-0751-8.
PMID: 30463581BACKGROUND
MeSH Terms
Conditions
Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)
Study Officials
- PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Gregory Ruegsegger, PhD
University of Wisconsin, River Falls
Study Design
- Study Type
- interventional
- Phase
- not applicable
- Allocation
- RANDOMIZED
- Masking
- NONE
- Purpose
- BASIC SCIENCE
- Intervention Model
- PARALLEL
- Sponsor Type
- OTHER
- Responsible Party
- PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
- PI Title
- Professor
Study Record Dates
First Submitted
August 4, 2025
First Posted
August 11, 2025
Study Start
May 1, 2025
Primary Completion (Estimated)
June 30, 2026
Study Completion (Estimated)
June 30, 2026
Last Updated
August 11, 2025
Record last verified: 2025-08
Data Sharing
- IPD Sharing
- Will share
- Shared Documents
- STUDY PROTOCOL, SAP
- Time Frame
- Data will be available beginning 12 months after study completion and for up to 5 years thereafter.
- Access Criteria
- Researchers must submit a data use request, including a brief study proposal and data security plan, to the study principal investigator. Requests will be reviewed by the research team for scientific merit and feasibility. Approved researchers will be provided with a de-identified dataset via a secure, password-protected data repository.
De-identified individual participant data (IPD) collected in this study-including demographic information, outcome measures (e.g., physical activity, VO₂peak, body composition, survey scores), and visit-level data-will be made available to qualified researchers upon reasonable request. Data will be shared in a manner that protects participant confidentiality and complies with IRB and institutional policies.