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NCT Number: NCT07114991

E-Bike Commuting and Health in Overweight College Students

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.

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This study is active but is not currently recruiting participants.

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Key information

Conditions

Obesity &Amp; Overweight Behavior Body Weight Cardiometabolic Risk Health Behavior Motor Activity Nutrition Disorders Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases Obesity Overnutrition Overweight Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Physical Inactivity Sedentary Behavior Sedentary Behaviors Signs and Symptoms

Age range

18 year–30 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Wisconsin-River Falls

River Falls, Wisconsin, 54022, United States

About this study

This randomized controlled trial investigates the effectiveness of e-bike commuting as a strategy to improve cardiometabolic health, physical activity levels, and psychological well-being in college students with a body mass index (BMI) of 25 kg/m² or higher. Eligible participants will be randomized to either a 12-week e-bike intervention group or a control group that continues usual commuting habits. Assessments will occur at baseline (Week 0), post-intervention (Week 12), and follow-up (Week 24). Each assessment will include VO₂peak testing using a graded cycle ergometer protocol, body composition assessment via BodPod, fasting fingerstick blood tests for glucose, cholesterol, and triglycerides, blood pressure and resting heart rate measurement, and self-report questionnaires evaluating motivation, stress, affect, mental health, and academic engagement. Participants will also complete a 30-minute submaximal cycling test during which affective responses will be recorded, and physical activity will be tracked over 7 days. Those assigned to the intervention group will receive a pedal-assist e-bike, helmet, and safety training and will be asked to ride at least four days per week for 12 weeks. The study aims to determine whether e-bike commuting can promote sustained physical activity and improve cardiometabolic and mental health outcomes in a population at risk for early health decline.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

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

Treatment and study plan

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

  1. Change in daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (minutes/day)

    Time frame: 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

  2. Change in cardiorespiratory fitness (VO₂peak, mL/kg/min)

    Time frame: 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.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in body fat percentage

    Time frame: From enrollment to end of study at 24 weeks.

    Body composition will be assessed using air displacement plethysmography (BodPod®). Percent body fat will be calculated at baseline, Week 12, and Week 24.

  2. Change in total cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, and triglycerides (mg/dL)

    Time frame: From enrollment to end of study at 24 weeks.

    Fasting lipid profiles will be assessed at baseline, Week 12, and Week 24 via fingerstick blood sample. Changes in total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and triglycerides will be evaluated to assess cardiometabolic risk.

  3. Change in fasting blood glucose (mg/dL)

    Time frame: From enrollment to end of study at 24 weeks.

    Fasting blood glucose will be collected via fingerstick and analyzed using a portable blood analyzer. Values will be compared between baseline, Week 12, and Week 24 to determine the impact of the e-bike intervention on glucose regulation.

  4. Change in exercise motivation (BREQ-3 score)

    Time frame: From enrollment to end of study at 24 weeks.

    Exercise motivation will be assessed using the Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire-3 (BREQ-3) at all three time points. Subscale scores (e.g., intrinsic motivation, external regulation) will be analyzed for changes between baseline, Week 12, and Week 24.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Wisconsin, River Falls

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effects of Pedal-Assist E-Bike Commuting on Cardiometabolic Health, Physical Activity, and Psychological Well-Being in Overweight College Students

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2027
Study completion
2027
First posted
Aug 11, 2025
Registry last updated
Jul 20, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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