144 Participants Needed

Goal Setting for Exercise Adherence in Midlife Adults

RJ
MM
Overseen ByMolly Maxfield, PhD
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

Engaging in regular physical activity during midlife is a key lifestyle behavior associated with reduced risk for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (AD/ADRD). Yet nearly half of midlife adults (48%) do not meet national physical activity guidelines. The purpose of this mechanistic trial is to identify effective goal setting techniques to enhance psychosocial processes of self-regulation for the successful promotion of PA and adherence to national PA guidelines among midlife adults, with the long-term goal of reducing AD/ADRD risk

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but it does exclude those taking two or more antidepressants or those previously prescribed Alzheimer's medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Goal Setting, Behavioral Intervention for Walking, MoST-Influenced Behavioral Intervention in the clinical trial Goal Setting for Exercise Adherence in Midlife Adults?

Research shows that setting specific goals for physical activity can increase motivation and participation, especially when the goals are internally driven. Additionally, frequent prompts have been found to significantly improve adherence to walking programs, suggesting that these strategies can effectively support exercise adherence.12345

Is goal setting for exercise adherence safe for midlife adults?

Research on physical activity interventions, including goal setting, shows that they are generally safe for humans. While minor injuries like muscle strains can occur, no serious adverse events have been reported, especially when starting with moderate intensity and gradually increasing activity levels.12678

How is the Goal Setting treatment for exercise adherence in midlife adults different from other treatments?

The Goal Setting treatment is unique because it focuses on frequent and specific goal setting to enhance commitment to physical activity, which is linked to better use of behavioral strategies for exercise adherence. This approach is different from other treatments as it emphasizes the importance of setting clear, personalized goals to maintain motivation and improve exercise habits over time.19101112

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for midlife adults aged 45-65 with a BMI of 30-50, engaging in minimal physical activity and owning a smartphone. They must weigh at least 110 pounds and not be on Alzheimer's meds, have high blood pressure without clearance, or planning pregnancy/moving from Phoenix soon.

Inclusion Criteria

Self-reported ownership of a smartphone with an iOS or Android operating system (necessary for participants to track their activity using a Fitbit activity monitor)
Engaging in 60 minutes or less of self-reported moderate-to-vigorous physical activity at screening (based on Exercise Vital Sign Questionnaire)
My BMI is between 30 and 50.
See 2 more

Exclusion Criteria

Incarcerated individuals (i.e., Prisoners)
I have been diagnosed with major depression.
I have had a stroke in the past.
See 9 more

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Phase 1 Pilot Study

Establish feasibility and refine the intervention

Not specified

Phase 2 Treatment

9-month 4-arm proof-of-concept mechanistic trial with 6-month active intervention

6 months
Monthly assessments

Follow-up

3-month no contact follow-up to monitor adherence and outcomes

3 months

Treatment Details

Interventions

  • Goal Setting
Trial Overview The study tests goal-setting techniques to increase physical activity among midlife adults. It aims to improve self-regulation behaviors to meet national guidelines and reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease through regular exercise adherence.
Participant Groups
4Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Group I: Static weekly physical activity goal of 150 minutes/weekExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Participants will receive a physical activity action planning intervention and assigned a static weekly physical activity goal of 150 minutes/week of moderate-intensity activity; action planning sessions will focus on the participant achieving this weekly goal.
Group II: Self-selected weekly physical activity goalExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Participants will receive a physical activity action planning intervention and will self-select their own moderate-intensity physical activity goal each week; action planning sessions will focus on helping participants achieve their self-selected goal.
Group III: No stated weekly physical activity goal (comparison group)Experimental Treatment1 Intervention
Participants will receive a physical activity action planning intervention that does not include explicitly stated physical activity goals to achieve.
Group IV: Incremental weekly physical activity goal increaseExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Participants will receive a physical activity action planning intervention and assigned a weekly physical activity goal that is 20% greater than the level of moderate-intensity physical activity performed the previous week; action planning sessions will focus on the participant achieving their assigned goal.

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Arizona State University

Lead Sponsor

Trials
311
Recruited
109,000+

National Institute on Aging (NIA)

Collaborator

Trials
1,841
Recruited
28,150,000+

Findings from Research

A study involving 24 older adults (aged 60+) found that goal setting for physical activity (PA) is crucial for maintaining health and preventing age-related decline, with motivations primarily being health improvement and sustaining mental well-being.
The research suggests that interventions, like PA apps, that encourage older adults to set specific and meaningful goals can enhance their motivation and participation in physical activity, leading to better health outcomes.
Active older adults goal setting outcomes for engaging in a physical activity app and the motivation characteristics of these goals (MOVEAGE-ACT).Lynch, AM., Kilroy, S., McKee, H., et al.[2023]
In a study of 135 participants in a walking program, those who received weekly phone prompts were significantly more likely to meet exercise goals (46%) compared to those prompted every three weeks (13%).
The structure of the prompts (high vs. low) did not show a significant difference in effectiveness, indicating that the frequency of reminders is more crucial for improving exercise adherence.
Walking to meet health guidelines: the effect of prompting frequency and prompt structure.Lombard, DN., Lombard, TN., Winett, RA.[2019]
A 6-month supervised exercise program of either swimming or walking led to high retention (86%) and adherence (76.3% for swimming and 74.3% for walking) among previously sedentary older women, with these rates maintained over 12 months.
The addition of a behavioral intervention did not significantly improve retention or adherence rates, suggesting that the exercise modes themselves were effective in keeping participants engaged.
Short and long-term adherence to swimming and walking programs in older women--the Sedentary Women Exercise Adherence Trial (SWEAT 2).Cox, KL., Burke, V., Beilin, LJ., et al.[2022]

References

Active older adults goal setting outcomes for engaging in a physical activity app and the motivation characteristics of these goals (MOVEAGE-ACT). [2023]
Walking to meet health guidelines: the effect of prompting frequency and prompt structure. [2019]
Short and long-term adherence to swimming and walking programs in older women--the Sedentary Women Exercise Adherence Trial (SWEAT 2). [2022]
'Physical activity at home (PAAH)', evaluation of a group versus home based physical activity program in community dwelling middle aged adults: rationale and study design. [2021]
Long-term effects of a stage-based intervention for changing exercise intentions and behavior in older adults. [2019]
Screening, safety, and adverse events in physical activity interventions: collaborative experiences from the behavior change consortium. [2022]
Integrative review of physical activity intervention research with aging adults. [2022]
A scoping review of behavior change techniques used to promote physical activity among women in midlife. [2022]
Goal setting frequency and the use of behavioral strategies related to diet and physical activity. [2007]
10.United Statespubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Exercise adherence among older adults: challenges and strategies. [2022]
11.United Statespubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Factors predicting adherence to 9 months of supervised exercise in healthy older women. [2021]
Goal setting as a health behavior change strategy in overweight and obese adults: a systematic literature review examining intervention components. [2022]