Active Exercise for Pollution Exposure

(PARC Trial)

Overseen By Lina Mu, MD,PhD

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: State University of New York at Buffalo

Disqualifiers: Unstable, life-threatening conditions

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Approved in 1 Jurisdiction This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

24 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how exercise might benefit people exposed to air pollution. Participants will divide into two groups: one will engage in physical activities (active exercise), while the other will not. The goal is to determine if exercise can help manage pollution effects. Ideal candidates are 35-55 years old, plan to stay in Buffalo for the next three months, and do not have unstable or life-threatening medical conditions. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking research on exercise and pollution.

Do I need to stop taking my current medications for the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

Research has shown that exercising in polluted air can have mixed effects. Some studies have found no extra risk of heart disease or early death from exercising in such conditions. However, other research suggests that exercising in polluted air can cause short-term health issues, such as temporary breathing problems or increased heart risks.

The benefits of exercise often outweigh the risks, particularly when pollution levels are not too high. Still, individuals should consider their own health and the air quality before deciding to exercise outside. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores how active exercise might help mitigate the effects of pollution exposure, a novel angle in managing environmental health impacts. Unlike standard approaches that often focus on reducing pollution exposure or treating symptoms after they occur, this trial investigates whether physical activity itself can serve as a preventive or alleviating strategy. By examining the body's response to exercise in polluted environments, the study could uncover new insights into promoting resilience against pollution's harmful effects, offering a proactive approach to health in urban settings.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for pollution exposure?

This trial will compare the effects of active exercise on health outcomes in different environments. Studies have shown that physical activity can improve lung function and slow its decline, even in areas with air pollution. Research indicates that exercise can lower the risk of heart problems, even in places with pollutants like carbon monoxide. Exercising in polluted air, however, can sometimes feel harder and less comfortable. Despite this, the benefits of staying active usually outweigh the negatives, especially when pollution levels are lower. Overall, exercise is likely to help maintain better health, even when air quality isn't perfect. ^{1 5 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Lina Mu, MD,PhD

Principal Investigator

State University of New York at Buffalo

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals aged 35-55 who lead a sedentary lifestyle and are exposed to pollution. They must plan to stay in Buffalo for the next three months and have no life-threatening medical conditions.

Inclusion Criteria

Plan to stay in Buffalo most of the time in the next three months

I am between 35 and 55 years old.

No adverse conditions

Exclusion Criteria

The pilot study will also demonstrate our ability to recruit the modified study population.

I do not have any severe or life-threatening health conditions.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Baseline Assessment

Collection of baseline information via questionnaire

1 week

1 visit (in-person)

Intervention

Participants are randomized into physical activity intervention groups or control group

12 weeks

Regular sessions (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

3 months

Exit questionnaire and biospecimen collection

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Active exercise

Trial Overview The study tests how active exercise can affect people living with a sedentary lifestyle under polluted environments. It's a small pilot study designed to check if a larger scale research project would be feasible.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Intervention group 2 Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

This is the physical intervention group 2(n=8).

Group II: Intervention group 1 Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

This is the physical intervention group 1(n=8).

Group III: Control group Active Control 1 Intervention

This is the control group (n=8).

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

State University of New York at Buffalo

Lead Sponsor

Trials

279

Recruited

52,600+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8614825/

Physical Activity in Polluted Air—Net Benefit or Harm to ... A study on exercising and nonexercising rats exposed to carbon monoxide (CO), an important factor of urban air pollution, showed that exercise reduces heart ...

2. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772985024000176

Trade-off between air pollution exposure and physical activity Physical activity is associated with improved lung function, a slower decline in lung function, and lower mortality.

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8247190/

When physical activity meets the physical environment Since exercising in air pollution can lead to increased discomfort and perceived exertion [56], there is a concern that individuals will be more ...

4. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/physiology/articles/10.3389/fphys.2022.784705/full

Physical Exercise in the Context of Air Pollution The greater the amount of physical activity and the lower the pollution concentration, the more likely it is to reduce the risk of morbidity and death.

5. mdpi.com mdpi.com/2075-1729/15/4/595

Air Pollution and Endurance Exercise: A Systematic ... Exposure to high concentrations of PM2.5 during physical activity may reduce its expected health benefits, limit adherence to exercise programs, and increase ...

6. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412020319097

Air pollution, physical activity and health: A mapping review ... The current literature suggests that air pollution may decrease physical activity levels during high air pollution episodes or may prevent people from engaging ...

7. epa.gov epa.gov/sciencematters/should-you-exercise-outside-air-pollution

Should You Exercise Outside in Air Pollution? Nine of the 16 papers reviewed demonstrated that exercising outdoors in air pollution results in short-term (temporary) health effects, with ...

8. thelancet.com thelancet.com/journals/lanplh/article/PIIS2542-5196(23)00055-4/fulltext

Physical activity in polluted air: an urgent call to study ... To our knowledge, this is the first study to show that the health benefits of physical activity can turn negative (into increased risk of cerebrovascular ...