The Influence of Climate and Air Pollution on Physical Activity of Chinese People in Shenyang and Shenzhen

The Influence of Climate and Air Pollution on Physical Activity of Chinese People in Shenyang(41.481175ºN) and Shenzhen(22.324386ºN)

Physical activity (PA) refers to bodily movements that result in a significant increase in energy expenditure due to the contraction of skeletal muscles. Physical inactivity has become a major global public health concern and is currently the fourth leading cause of death worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that adults engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity (MPA) or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity (VPA) per week.

Although some studies suggest that individual differences in PA may have a genetic basis, PA is generally considered to be largely under voluntary control and influenced by climatic and environmental factors. For instance, extreme temperatures-either hot or cold-can increase health risks and reduce individuals' willingness to engage in physical activity. In addition, air pollution, particularly fine particulate matter (PM2.5), poses serious health risks. Exercising in polluted environments may trigger asthma, cardiovascular, or pulmonary conditions.

Since the Industrial Revolution, fossil fuel emissions have contributed to a global surface temperature increase of approximately 1.1°C, with projections suggesting a further rise of 2.5-2.9°C by the end of the century. At the same time, PM2.5 pollution has become a pressing issue, contributing to an estimated 7 million deaths globally in 2012-over one-third of which occurred in rapidly developing Asian countries.

Given the seasonal and geographic variability in climate and air quality, physical activity levels are likely to be affected accordingly.This study aims to investigate the extent to which climatic and environmental factors influence physical activity levels and intensity.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Physical Activity; Air Pollution; Climate

Detailed Description

This study will be conducted in two cities in China: Shenyang (41.481175°N) and Shenzhen (22.324386°N), with 62 participants recruited from each location. By assessing participants' body composition and physical activity levels, along with the climatic and environmental conditions in both cities, we aim to compare how different climates and environmental exposures influence physical activity.

Participants will be asked to wear a GT3X accelerometer every two months to monitor physical activity levels, and an iButton temperature sensor to record ambient temperature. A total of six measurement rounds will be conducted. Concurrently, atmospheric temperature data will be collected via local weather stations, and PM2.5 data will be obtained from publicly available sources.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Estimated): 124

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Xueying Zhang, Doctor; Phone Number: 18201296155; Email: zhangxy@siat.ac.cn
• Study Contact Backup: Name: John R Speakman, Doctor; Phone Number: 15810868669; Email: j.speakman@abdn.ac.uk

Study Locations

• China
  • Shenyang, China
    • Recruiting
    • China Medical University
    • Contact: Deliang Wen, Doctor; Email: dlwen@cmu.edu.cn
    • Contact: Yang Liu, Doctor; Email: yliu0568@cmu.edu.cn
  • Guangdong
    • Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
      • Recruiting
      • Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Science
      • Contact: John R Speakman; Phone Number: 15810868669; Email: j.speakman@abdn.ac.uk
      • Contact: Xueying Zhang; Phone Number: 18201296155; Email: zhangxy@siat.ac.cn

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

The study population consisted of healthy individuals. Female participants were neither pregnant nor planning to become pregnant, and none were lactating. All subjects were free from serious illnesses or disabilities that could interfere with the study.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Aged 18 to 55 years
• Residing in Shenzhen or Shenyang for the entire year

Exclusion Criteria:

• Disabilities that limit physical activity
• Any condition preventing participation in physical activity
• Pregnant or planning pregnancy during the study period
• Lactating or planning to lactate during the study period

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

2

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Subjects in Shenzhen; The investigators planned to recruit 62 subjects in Shenzhen. Shenzhen is located in 22.324386ºN, 114.031040ºE, the south of China, with long summers and short winters, high temperatures and frequent rains. The average annual temperature is 23.3℃. In addition, Shenzhen is a city with good economic and technological development. The investigators will measure the physical activity of subjects, and the Temperature, humidity and PM2.5 data of Shenzhen.
Subjects in Shenyang; The investigators planned to recruit 62 subjects in Shenyang. Shenyang is located in 41.481175ºN, 123.253118ºE, the northeastern of China, with cold winters and warm summers, also has long cold periods. The average annual temperature ranges from 6.2 to 9.7℃. In addition, Shenyang focuses on industrial development. The investigators will measure the physical activity of subjects, and the Temperature, humidity and PM2.5 data of Shenyang.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Physical activity level	Physical activity in vector magnitude counts will be recorded using GT3X accelerometer worn near the hip for a consecutive period of 7 days. The monitor should not be worn while bathing or swimming.	Through study completion, every two months across 6 assessment rounds, up to 12 months per participant

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Temperature	Temperature in degrees Celsius will be collected using the HOBO mini-weather station.	Through study completion, an average of 2 years
Humidity	Humidity in %RH will be collected using the HOBO mini-weather station.	Through study completion, an average of 2 years
Subject exposure to environmental temperature	Exposure temperature in degrees Celsius will be measured by Ibutton. The Ibutton (DS1921G) monitors will be provided for the assessment of both indoor and outdoor temperature of their living environment. The iButtons be affixed to the hand bag to measure the subject exposure temperature.	Through study completion, every two months across 6 assessment rounds, up to 12 months per participant
PM2.5	PM2.5 in μg/m3 will be collected through open data website.	Through study completion, an average of 2 years
Sunshine duration	Sunshine duration in hours will be collected through open data website.	Through study completion, an average of 2 years
Height	Height in centimeters will be measured by Leicester stadiometer (Seca 217, Germany) to the nearest 0.1cm. Subjects wearing no shoes.	Through study completion, every two months across 6 assessment rounds, up to 12 months per participant
Body Weight	Subjects will be asked to fast overnight and weight in kilograms will be measured using a calibrated Seca body weight scale first thing in the morning on subjects wearing light clothes and no shoes.	Through study completion, every two months across 6 assessment rounds, up to 12 months per participant
Fat percentage	Fat percentage in percentage will be measured using Bioimpedance Analysis (Tanita, MC-980).	Through study completion, every two months across 6 assessment rounds, up to 12 months per participant
Fat mass	Fat mass in kilograms will be measured using Bioimpedance Analysis (Tanita, MC-980).	Through study completion, every two months across 6 assessment rounds, up to 12 months per participant
Fat-free mass	Fat-free mass in kilograms will be measured using Bioimpedance Analysis (Tanita, MC-980).	Through study completion, every two months across 6 assessment rounds, up to 12 months per participant
Muscle mass	Muscle mass in kilograms will be measured using Bioimpedance Analysis (Tanita, MC-980).	Through study completion, every two months across 6 assessment rounds, up to 12 months per participant

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology ,Chinese Academy of Sciences
• Collaborators: China Medical University, China

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): August 1, 2024
• Primary Completion (Estimated): August 31, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): August 31, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: August 11, 2025
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 8, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): April 13, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): April 13, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 8, 2026
• Last Verified: March 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Behavior; Motor Activity
• Other Study ID Numbers: SIAT-IRB-240415-H0888

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No