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AzTrials

Endothelial DysfunctionCAPaHNCT01708356

Cycling, Air Pollution and Health

A study testing Cycling on a residential route in people with Endothelial Dysfunction and Endothelial Function, run by University of British Columbia at 1 site in Canada.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

Introduction: Cycling is currently promoted at the municipal, provincial and national level as a form of active transportation that increases physical activity while at the same time reducing traffic congestion, traffic-related air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 19 to 39 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
What is being tested?
Cycling on a residential route
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
38 participants
Where
1 siteCanada
Study dates
Jun 2010to Nov 2011
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 19 to 39 years
  • All sexes
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult

Who may be able to join

  • Age 19- 39
  • male or female
  • able to bicycle comfortably on city streets for 1 hour

Who cannot join

  • Smokers of any substance (smoking more than 1x every 2 weeks)
  • Must be of height to safely ride a test bike (<5'2", >6'5" )
  • Diagnosed asthma or active allergy (hav fever) symptoms
  • Irregular menstrual cycle, pregnant, breastfeeding, non-monocyclic contraceptive medication or device
  • Taking medication for heart or lung condition
  • Answers yes to any questions on physical activity readiness questionnaire (PAR-Q)
  • requires pain medication daily
  • visual or hearing impairment that prevents safe cycling on streets with motor vehicles

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Canada1 site
  • Air Pollution Exposure Lab, Vancouver General Hospital through the School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia

    Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z3

Other trials in Canada

About this study

Introduction: Cycling is currently promoted at the municipal, provincial and national level as a form of active transportation that increases physical activity while at the same time reducing traffic congestion, traffic-related air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. While at a population level the health benefits of exercise via cycling are estimated to substantially exceed any health impacts related to air pollution exposure and injuries from traffic accidents , cyclists are known to experience elevated exposures to traffic-related air pollutants. Combined with exposure to elevated concentrations of air pollutants, cyclists also are subject to substantially increased inhaled doses due to their level of exertion and consequently increased inhalation rate. Therefore, given that cyclists experience exposures to relatively high concentrations of traffic-related air pollutants and that their inhalation of these pollutants is increased, it is important to evaluate the potential health impacts of this scenario. Research on the potential health impacts related to exercise (cycling) and urban air pollution exposure can help inform public communication strategies related to air quality and its health impacts. In addition, as our previous work suggests substantial variability in air pollution exposures to cyclists that is related to the route type and the levels of traffic along cycling routes, there is potential for transportation planners to promote increased cycling by enhancing infrastructure while at the same time developing routes that also minimize exposure to air pollution. The cyclist population is also interested in information regarding the air pollution exposures and potential health impacts related to cycling.

The objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between traffic-related air pollution exposure, and respiratory and cardiovascular health impacts in commuting cyclists. Specifically, the investigators propose to:

  1. determine commuting cyclists' exposure to traffic-related air pollutants (PM 2.5, PM10, ultrafine particulate, black carbon) while cycling along two different bicycle routes in the city of Vancouver;
  2. estimate the pollutant dose received by each cyclist, and relate this to the health effects observed; and
  3. determine if there is a change in lung function, endothelial function, and C-reactive protein level related to the level of air pollution exposure and dose
Being tested
Cycling on a residential route
Keywords
Air Pollution, Particulate Matter, Exercise, Respiratory Rate, Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, Plethysmography
Medical subject headings
Motor Activity, Inflammation

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Cycling on a residential routeBehavioural

Study groups in NCT01708356
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Normal cyclingExperimentalCycling on a residential and downtown route (crossover design)
Receives: Behavioral: Cycling on a residential route

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Change in endothelial function, as measured by peripheral arterial tonometry (EndoPAT) score of reactive hyperemia index (RHI)

    Measured: Baseline (1 hour pre-expousre) and 1 hour post- exposure (plus or minus 30 minutes) to a bicycle ride in an urban environment outdoors

Secondary outcomes (1)
  1. Change in lung function (using spirometry to assess lung function values)

    Measured: Baseline (1 hour pre-exposure) and 1 hour post- exposure (plus or minus 30 minutes) to a bicycle ride in an urban environment outdoors

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted16 Oct 2012 (estimated)
  2. Study startJun 2010
  3. Primary completionNov 2011
  4. Study completionNov 2011

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Prevention
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Crossover
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
38 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT01708356
Sponsor's protocol ID
H10-00902
Other IDs
H1008-111481/001/XSB
Acronym
CAPaH
Status last verified
Oct 2012
First submitted
9 Oct 2012
Last updated
16 Oct 2012
Results posted
No

Publications

  • Cole CA, Carlsten C, Koehle M, Brauer M. Particulate matter exposure and health impacts of urban cyclists: a randomized crossover study. Environ Health. 2018 Nov 14;17(1):78. doi: 10.1186/s12940-018-0424-8.

    PubMed 30428890

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Cycling on a residential route in people with Endothelial Dysfunction and Endothelial Function, run by University of British Columbia at 1 site in Canada.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 8 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 16 Oct 2012. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Canada. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Change in endothelial function, as measured by peripheral arterial tonometry (EndoPAT) score of reactive hyperemia index (RHI) (time frame: Baseline (1 hour pre-expousre) and 1 hour post- exposure (plus or minus 30 minutes) to a bicycle ride in an urban environment outdoors). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT01708356, which also lists 1 linked publication.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 16 Oct 2012; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 26 Oct 2026.

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