Habit Formation + Physical Activity Planning for Increasing Physical Activity
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial explores how building habits and planning physical activities can help parents increase their young children's exercise levels. It aims to determine if creating habits leads to more active kids compared to just educating or planning activities. The trial includes different approaches: standard education, a physical activity planning intervention, and a habit formation intervention, to identify the most effective method. Families in Victoria, British Columbia, with children aged 3 to 5 who engage in less than 60 minutes of active play daily might be a good fit. As an unphased trial, this study offers families the chance to contribute to valuable research that could shape future strategies for increasing children's physical activity.
Do I need to stop my current medications to join the trial?
The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.
Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?
Research has shown that programs designed to help people form exercise habits are generally safe. One study found that these programs significantly increased exercise habits without causing serious side effects. Another review demonstrated that participants' habit scores improved significantly, suggesting that the programs are well-received.
For the exercise planning program, the World Health Organization states that exercise is safe for most people, even those with long-term health issues. The benefits of being active usually outweigh any risks. Starting with easy exercises and gradually increasing intensity aligns with the planning approach.
In short, both the habit-forming and planning programs are considered safe and effective ways to encourage exercise.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores innovative ways to boost physical activity in children by focusing on planning and habit formation. Unlike traditional methods that mainly provide guidelines, this trial introduces a physical activity planning intervention that equips families with tools to actively plan and brainstorm fun activities. Additionally, the habit formation intervention goes a step further by incorporating strategies for creating lasting activity habits through context-dependent repetition. By encouraging families to integrate physical activity into their daily routines, these interventions aim to make staying active a natural and enjoyable part of children's lives.
What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for increasing physical activity in children?
This trial will compare a habit formation intervention with a physical activity planning intervention to increase physical activity. Research has shown that forming habits can effectively help people become more physically active. A review of several studies found a noticeable improvement in people's habits after they tried these habit-forming methods, suggesting that creating habits can make physical activity a regular part of daily life.
In contrast, planning strategies for physical activity have had mixed results. Some approaches that include planning, along with other methods, have successfully increased activity levels. However, not all strategies focused solely on planning have been effective. For example, certain studies found no significant increase in activity levels in specific trials.16789Who Is on the Research Team?
Darren Warburton, PhD
Principal Investigator
University of British Columbia
Ryan Rhodes, PhD
Principal Investigator
University of Victoria
Mark Beauchamp, PhD
Principal Investigator
University of British Columbia
Chris Blanchard, PhD
Principal Investigator
Dalhousie University
Valerie Carson, PhD
Principal Investigator
University of Alberta
Benjamin Gardner, PhD
Principal Investigator
King's College
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This study is for families in Victoria, British Columbia with at least one parent and one child aged 3-5 who isn't getting the recommended amount of physical activity (60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity daily). It's open to all socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Intervention
Participants are assigned to one of three conditions: habit formation, physical activity planning, or standard education control. The intervention focuses on increasing physical activity through habit formation, planning, or education.
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for changes in physical activity and related outcomes after the intervention period.
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Habit formation intervention
- Physical activity planning intervention
Trial Overview
The trial examines if helping parents form habits around physical activity can increase their children's active play. It compares a habit formation strategy against just educating parents or combining education with planning over six months.
How Is the Trial Designed?
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Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
The physical activity planning intervention condition will receive the same guidelines as the standard education control group but will also be provided with family physical activity planning material. This material will include workbook on how to plan for family physical activity; brainstorming exercise for children where they list physical activities that they have found fun in the past, as well as activities that they would find enjoyable to do as a family.
The habit formation intervention condition will receive the same content as the education control condition and the physical activity planning condition but with additional material on creating physical activity support habits. The material includes a brief discussion of what habits are with some very straightforward examples such as preparing for sleep routines, or initiating to drive a car to work. A key component of the habit section will be based on planning for context-dependent repetition, with pointers on how to maintain repetition as habit forms.
The control group package will consist of Canada's PA guidelines recommending 180 min per week for young children, transitioning to 60 minutes of activity a day for children at five and a breakdown of ways for the parent to help their child achieve this PA (unstructured, endurance, strength, activities) commensurate with this guide. The guide also contains arguments and information about the benefits of PA.
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
University of Victoria
Lead Sponsor
University of British Columbia
Collaborator
Canadian Cancer Society (CCS)
Collaborator
Citations
Effects of habit formation interventions on physical activity ...
Our findings reveal that habit formation interventions are effective in fostering PA habit. Future studies could leverage the insights form this study.
Effects of habit formation interventions on physical activity ...
Our findings reveal that habit formation interventions are effective in fostering PA habit. Future studies could leverage the insights form this study.
Time to Form a Habit: A Systematic Review and Meta- ...
The meta-analysis showed significant improvements in habit scores pre- to post-intervention across different habits (standardised mean difference: 0.69, 95% CI: ...
O.4.2-11 Effects of habit formation interventions on physical ...
Our findings reveal that habit formation interventions are effective in fostering PA habit. Future studies could leverage the insights form this study.
The impact of action plans on habit and intention strength ...
Consistency of action planning during the intervention was associated with change in physical activity at 9-months, and intention and habit strength at 3-months ...
Time to Form a Habit: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis ...
The meta-analysis indicated a significant improvement in habit scores between pre- and post-intervention, demonstrating large effect sizes for ...
HabitWalk: A micro‐randomized trial to understand and ...
This study aims to deepen the understanding of habit formation in physical activity and identify promotion strategies. We examined the habit ...
8.
researchgate.net
researchgate.net/publication/373868754_Effects_of_habit_formation_interventions_on_physical_activity_habit_strength_meta-analysis_and_meta-regression(PDF) Effects of habit formation interventions on physical ...
The habit formation interventions significantly increased PA habit (SMD = 0.31, 95% CI 0.14—0.48, P < .001) compared to the control groups. Subgroup analysis ...
Evaluating Motivational Interviewing and Habit Formation to ...
This study suggests that activity trackers may have beneficial effects on physical activity in healthy adults, but benefits vary based on individual factors.
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