JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Low levels of physical activity are associated with numerous adverse health outcomes, yet sedentary lifestyles are common among both children and adults. Physical activity levels tend to decline steeply among children aged 8-12, despite the fact that children’s behavioral patterns are largely governed by familial structures. For this reason, family-based physical activity promotion interventions are a potentially valuable and relatively under-researched method for mitigating physical activity declines as children develop into adolescents and for increasing physical activity in parents.

Objective:

This randomized controlled trial aims to assess the efficacy, feasibility and acceptability of a novel theory-based online physical activity promotion intervention among parent-child dyads in Finland who do not meet physical activity recommendations at baseline.

Methods:

Participants (target N = 254) will be recruited from the general population using a panel company and advertisements on social media, and randomly assigned to either an immediate intervention group or a wait list control group. The intervention consists of four online group workshops over the course of 10 weeks, online tasks and help resources, and a social support group. Data on physical activity behavior and constructs from the integrated behavior change model will be collected through self-report surveys and accelerometer measurements at baseline, 3-months, and 6-months post baseline. Exit interviews with participants will assess the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention procedures.

Results:

This study will reveal whether the intervention changes leisure-time physical activity among intervention participants relative to the control group and will examine the intervention’s effects on important theoretical predictors of physical activity. It will also yield data that can be used to refine intervention materials and inform further implementation. Trial recruitment commenced in September 2023 and data collection should be completed by December 2024.

Conclusions:

The planned intervention has potential implications for both theory and practice. Practically, the use of an entirely online intervention may have scalable future uses for improving physical activity in two key populations. Further, by assessing change in psychological constructs alongside potential change in behavior, the intervention also allows for important tests of theory regarding which constructs are most linked to favorable behavior change outcomes. Clinical Trial: Clinicaltrials.gov protocol ID: 806/13.00.04.00/2023