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. 2019 Sep 24:16:100457.
doi: 10.1016/j.conctc.2019.100457. eCollection 2019 Dec.

Integrating smartphone technology, social support and the outdoor built environment to promote community-based aerobic and resistance-based physical activity: Rationale and study protocol for the ' ecofit' randomized controlled trial

Anna K Jansson  1   2 , David R Lubans  1   2 , Jordan J Smith  1   2 , Mitch J Duncan  1   3 , Adrian Bauman  4 , John Attia  3 , Sara L Robards  1   2 , Ronald C Plotnikoff  1   2
Affiliations

Integrating smartphone technology, social support and the outdoor built environment to promote community-based aerobic and resistance-based physical activity: Rationale and study protocol for the ' ecofit' randomized controlled trial

Anna K Jansson et al. Contemp Clin Trials Commun. .

Erratum in

Abstract

Introduction: Regular physical activity can significantly reduce the risk of numerous chronic diseases, and improve bone density and mental health. Yet, only 50% of Australian adults meet the aerobic physical activity guidelines and 9-19% meet the resistance-based physical activity guidelines. The aim of this study is to enhance community-based aerobic and resistance-based physical activity through the use of publicly available outdoor exercise equipment, social support and smartphone technology.

Research design and methods: The ecofit intervention will be evaluated using a two-arm randomized controlled trial. A total of 240 adults (aged 18-80) will be recruited and randomly allocated to either the ecofit intervention or a 'wait-list' control group. Both groups will have access to the two types of outdoor park exercise equipment, but the intervention group will be given access to the purpose-built ecofit app and a 90-min introductory group training session. To promote social support, participants can enrol in a group of up to four individuals and access the ecofit Facebook group. The ecofit app include workout plans that can be tailored to different locations, difficulty levels and workout-types (i.e., resistance-only or combined resistance and aerobic workouts). Outcome assessments will be conducted at baseline, 3- (primary-end point) and 9-months follow-up. The primary outcomes are upper and lower body muscular fitness. The secondary outcomes include physical activity, body composition, aerobic fitness, body mass index, self-report resistance-based physical activity, and mental health outcomes. The cost-effectiveness of the study will also be evaluated.

Discussion: ecofit is an innovative, multi-component physical activity intervention that integrates smartphone technology, social support and the outdoor built environment to promote community-based aerobic and resistance-based physical. The findings will be used to guide future interventions and to support councils to promote community-based physical activity through the use of local outdoor exercise equipment.

Trial registration: ACTRN12619000868189.

Keywords: Aerobic exercise; Behavioral change; Physical activity; Resistance training.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Example of animated workouts.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Flow diagram of the process of choosing an ecofit workout.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Example of a ‘Fixed’ equipment location.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Example of a ‘Trail-based’ equipment location.
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Choosing a workout type.
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Example of a self-monitoring function from the app.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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