Short-term air pollution and exercise effects on children's lungs
Children's Health, Respiratory Inflammation and Short-term Air Pollution
This project will test if outdoor exercise on higher-pollution days affects primary-school children's lungs more than resting outdoors.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 330 (estimated) |
| Ages | 7 Years to 11 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Queen Mary University of London Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (London) |
| Trial ID | NCT07431021 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
The study will recruit 330 children from 10 primary schools categorized as higher- or lower-pollution sites in Central and East London. Each child will attend two school visits where researchers will record height and weight, perform breathing tests, and collect nasal (snot) samples. On one visit the child will take part in a typical outdoor PE lesson and on the other a sedentary science lesson in random order while wearing activity monitors and with playground air pollution measured. The team will compare pre- and post-session changes in lung function and nasal markers between children from higher- and lower-pollution schools.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal participants are primary-school children in years 3–6 at the recruited Central and East London schools who can give assent, whose parents provide consent, and who can safely take part in PE.
Not a fit: Children who cannot safely participate in PE, who cannot provide assent or parental consent, or who do not attend the participating schools are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the results could help schools, parents, and policymakers decide whether to limit outdoor physical activity on high-pollution days to protect children's lung health.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown short-term air pollution can worsen lung function in children, but few real-world school-based comparisons of exercise versus rest have been conducted.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Attending schools in Central and East London that have been recruited to the study Exclusion Criteria: * Not able to engage with PE lessons on safety grounds, reported by their parents. * Children with learning or physical disabilities sufficient for them to be unable to give informed assent to the study, or to carry out study procedures
Where this trial is running
London
- Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry — London, United Kingdom (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: James Scales, PhD — Queen Mary University London
- Study coordinator: James Scales, PhD
- Email: j.scales@qmul.ac.uk
- Phone: +447533897264
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.