Remote Exercise Program for Rural Health

Overseen By Scott Jamieson

Age: 18+

Sex: Male

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of South Carolina

Disqualifiers: Medical condition worsened by activity, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

40 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a remote exercise program to determine its feasibility and appeal among inactive men in rural areas. The study aims to discover if home-based exercise can increase activity levels in these men. Participants will either begin the program immediately or after a 12-week delay. Eligible men live in rural areas, exercise less than 90 minutes per week, and can walk a block unaided. As an unphased trial, this study provides participants the opportunity to contribute to innovative research that could enhance exercise options for rural communities.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It might be best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that this remote exercise program is safe?

Research has shown that remote exercise programs are generally safe for participants. One study found that most people experienced few or no side effects during these programs. Researchers closely monitored safety, and serious problems rarely occurred. Most participants attended at least 75% of their sessions without issues. Another study emphasized the importance of having a safe space at home for exercise to prevent accidents or injuries. Overall, evidence suggests that remote exercise programs are well-tolerated and pose a low risk of harm. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Remote Exercise Program because it offers a unique way to improve access to physical activity for people living in rural areas. Unlike traditional exercise programs that require in-person attendance at a gym or fitness center, this program is delivered remotely, allowing participants to engage in exercises from the comfort of their own homes. This approach not only addresses geographical barriers but also offers a flexible schedule, making it easier for participants to fit exercise into their daily lives. By leveraging technology, this program has the potential to increase adherence and improve health outcomes for individuals who might otherwise have limited access to structured physical activity.

What evidence suggests that this remote exercise program is effective for rural inactive men?

This trial will compare the effectiveness of a Remote Exercise Program offered immediately versus after a delay. Studies have shown that remote exercise programs can effectively help people in rural areas become more active. One study found that participants took more steps each day and could walk longer distances. Another study showed that a three-month online exercise program led to better health results compared to regular care. Research also indicates that participants appreciate these programs and that telehealth can successfully deliver them to rural communities. Overall, remote exercise programs seem promising in helping inactive men in rural areas become more active. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Christine A Pellegrini, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of South Carolina

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for inactive rural men who do less than 90 minutes of moderate exercise weekly, can read and write in English, live in a defined rural area by US standards, and can walk at least one block. They must not plan to move soon, have conditions worsened by exercise or refuse to wear an activity monitor.

Inclusion Criteria

Engage in less than 90 minutes of self-reported moderate intensity exercise

Ability to read and write in English

Primarily living in a rural jurisdiction defined by 1 of the 7 more widely used definitions of rurality by the United States government

Exclusion Criteria

Plans to relocate from primary residence within 3 months of signing up for study

Less than 4 valid days of activity monitor wear time at baseline assessment

I have a health condition that worsens with physical activity changes.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Immediate Intervention

Participants receive a 12-week physical activity program with weekly exercise reporting, behavioral lessons, and personalized feedback

12 weeks

Weekly virtual check-ins

Delayed Intervention

Participants start a 6-week abridged version of the physical activity program after the initial 12-week assessment

6 weeks

Weekly virtual check-ins

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in physical activity, health-related quality of life, and other metrics

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Remote Exercise Program

Trial Overview The study tests a remote physical activity program's feasibility and effectiveness over 12 weeks. Participants will either start immediately or after a delay of six weeks. The goal is to improve the motor skills and health of these men living in rural areas.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Immediate Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Receive intervention immediately after randomization

Group II: Delayed Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Start intervention after 12 week assessment

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of South Carolina

Lead Sponsor

Trials

233

Recruited

122,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9307466/

Physical activity promotion in rural health care settings Note: Outcomes included physical activity levels (i.e., steps per day, hours per week); fitness/physical functionality changes (i.e., 6 min walk test, Max Gait ...

2. acrjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com acrjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/acr.25272

Effectiveness of an eHealth‐Delivered Program to Empower ... Our objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of a three-month physiotherapist-delivered eHealth physical activity program compared with usual care to ...

3. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1326020024000128

Physical activity interventions among youth living in rural ... The aim of this study was to collate the evidence on the effectiveness of PA and sports-based interventions among youth living in rural and remote areas.

4. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1643477/pdf

exercise providers' perspectives on remote physical activity ... Results: Fifty-one exercise providers (age 36.3 ± 12.3 years, 38 female) completed the survey; 86% provided remote support for physical activity ...

5. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10504780/

Delivery of telehealth nutrition and physical activity ... This scoping review aimed to address this gap, by mapping existing literature describing telehealth lifestyle interventions delivered to rural populations.

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12536549/

Defying distance: exercise providers' perspectives on remote ... This mixed-methods study examines exercise providers' use of remote supports for physical activity among older adults, their perceived ...

7. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.647883/full

Adherence Rate, Barriers to Attend, Safety, and Overall ... The remote exercise program has a high adherence rate among stroke survivors to engage and a low attendance rate. The main reported barriers ...

8. academic.oup.com academic.oup.com/ehjdh/article/6/3/508/8051875

Feasibility, safety and patient perceptions of exercise-based ... Safety monitoring in terms of adverse events (AE) and serious adverse events (SAE) was recorded. A total of 67.2% of the patients attended ≥ 75% ...

9. nature.com nature.com/articles/s41598-025-10697-5

Physical and psychological optimization of tele-exercise ... Experts highlighted that exercise in a home-based environment requires a space with no potential risk to the individual's safety. The space ...

10. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1551714424002696

Implementing changing behaviour towards aerobic and ... This four-month, randomised, phase one clinical trial assessed the feasibility and safety of a home-based exercise training program delivered remotely online by ...