Peer Support for Exercise Habits

(SHINE Trial)

Overseen By Erin S Pearson, PhD

Age: Any Age

Sex: Female

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Lakehead University

Disqualifiers: Men, Not full-time student, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 6

Duration: 6 weeks

24 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine how a peer mentor influences exercise motivation and habits among inactive undergraduate women. Participants will either exercise independently or with a peer mentor, who will join them once a week and offer virtual support as part of The Supporting Her In Navigating Exercise Program. The trial seeks full-time undergraduate women at Lakehead University who exercise less than once a week and wish to become more active. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity for participants to enhance their fitness journey with personalized support.

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 seems focused on exercise habits rather than medication use.

What prior data suggests that this exercise program is safe for participants?

Research shows that the Supporting Her In Navigating Exercise (SHINE) program is generally safe for participants. Previous studies have examined the impact of peer support systems in exercise settings. These studies found that individuals with a peer coach improved their health habits. Importantly, the program reported no serious side effects.

The SHINE program encourages exercise with the help of a peer mentor. Participants typically exercise both independently and with their mentor, maintaining regular contact. This approach has boosted motivation and involvement without major safety concerns. In summary, current evidence supports that participants tolerate the SHINE program well. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Peer Support for Exercise Habits trial because it explores how mentorship can enhance exercise adherence. While standard exercise programs typically focus on individual commitment, this trial introduces a peer-mentor component, offering personalized support and motivation. Participants engage in both independent and mentor-led exercise sessions, combined with regular virtual communication, which could foster a sense of accountability and community. This innovative approach might prove more effective in establishing lasting exercise habits, crucial for improving overall health and well-being.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for exercise motivation and engagement?

Research has shown that a peer mentor in exercise programs can increase motivation and improve exercise habits. In this trial, participants in the "Exercise plus mentor" arm will pair with a peer mentor for one-on-one exercise sessions and virtual communication. This approach may enhance their health behaviors compared to those in the "Exercise alone" arm. Previous studies have demonstrated that peer mentorship helps individuals feel capable, connected to others, and in control, which are crucial for maintaining exercise routines. Overall, those with peer support were more likely to stay engaged and committed to their exercise routines. This suggests that a mentor can greatly aid in building lasting exercise habits. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Erin S Pearson, PhD

Principal Investigator

Lakehead University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for inactive undergraduate women who are interested in starting an exercise routine. Participants should be willing to work out three times a week at the campus gym and complete surveys about their experience.

Inclusion Criteria

Have access to online technology (e.g., email, zoom)

Full-time undergraduate student at Lakehead University

Classified as an exercise initiate (e.g., report one or fewer bouts of exercise per week)

Exclusion Criteria

Not enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student at Lakehead University

Lack of access to technology

I cannot travel to the campus.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

Baseline Orientation

Participants complete a baseline survey, receive a facility tour, and are assigned to a study condition

1 week

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Participants engage in a 6-week exercise program with or without peer mentoring

6 weeks

3 visits per week (in-person), virtual communication for intervention group

Follow-up

Participants complete an open-ended exit questionnaire to explore their program experiences

1 week

1 visit (in-person or virtual)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• The Supporting Her In Navigating Exercise Program

Trial Overview The study tests if having a peer mentor helps increase motivation and reduce psychological distress compared to just following an exercise program alone. Half of the participants will have a mentor join them once a week, with additional virtual support.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Exercise plus mentor Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will be encouraged to engage in independent exercise twice a week for 30 minutes. They will be randomly assigned to a peer-mentor, with whom they will engage in on-on-one exercise once a week for 30 minutes. Between sessions, they will engage in virtual communication with each other for about 30 minutes each week. Each participant-mentor duo will continue this protocol for 6-weeks.

Group II: Exercise alone Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants will be encouraged to engage in exercise three times a week for thirty minutes, over a span of 6-weeks.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Lakehead University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

29

Recruited

3,900+

St. Joseph's Care Group

Collaborator

Trials

5

Recruited

350+

Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)

Collaborator

Trials

1,417

Recruited

26,550,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

A 12-week peer support intervention in an exercise referral scheme (ERS) showed that trained peer volunteers significantly enhanced the client experience by providing practical, motivational, and emotional support, which is crucial for successful exercise adherence.

Participants found the peer support to be cost-effective and acceptable, suggesting that integrating peer volunteers can improve social support accessibility and potentially increase completion rates of exercise referral programs.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Multi-Stakeholder Retrospective Acceptability of a Peer Support Intervention for Exercise Referral. Portman, RM., Levy, AR., Maher, AJ., et al.[2021]

A scoping review of 42 articles identified eight key social support strategies that help people with disabilities participate in physical activity at community gyms, including supervision, peer support, and specialist support.

Direct supervision and peer support were the most common forms of assistance, highlighting the importance of experienced staff and community connections in promoting exercise participation among individuals with disabilities.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Social Support Initiatives That Facilitate Exercise Participation in Community Gyms for People with Disability: A Scoping Review. Kennedy, RA., McKenzie, G., Holmes, C., et al.[2023]

Researchers in resistance training studies often lack clear guidance and motivation for thorough adverse event (AE) reporting, which can lead to inconsistent practices.

There is a need for exercise-specific guidelines for AE reporting, as current standards are perceived as not applicable to exercise trials, highlighting the importance of tailored strategies to improve reporting consistency.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Researchers' perspectives on adverse event reporting in resistance training trials: a qualitative study. El-Kotob, R., Pagcanlungan, JR., Craven, BC., et al.[2022]

The ADVANCE study aims to evaluate how adverse events (AEs) are reported in exercise oncology trials, which is crucial for assessing the safety of exercise interventions for cancer patients.

By reviewing published trials and using a standardized checklist for reporting AEs, the study seeks to identify gaps in current practices and inform future research on improving the consistency and transparency of AE reporting in this field.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adverse Events Reporting of Clinical Trials in Exercise Oncology Research (ADVANCE): Protocol for a Scoping Review. Luo, H., Schumacher, O., Galvão, DA., et al.[2022]

A study involving 161 inactive breast cancer survivors found that peer support through monthly phone calls or weekly text messages significantly improved physical activity maintenance at 12 months compared to a self-monitoring only group.

Both the Reach Plus Phone and Reach Plus Message interventions led to additional weekly moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, with the text message group showing the greatest increase, highlighting the effectiveness of ongoing peer support in sustaining physical activity after an initial intervention.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Physical Activity Adoption and Maintenance Among Breast Cancer Survivors: A Randomized Trial of Peer Mentoring. Pinto, BM., Dunsiger, SI., Kindred, MM., et al.[2022]

In a review of over 5,500 participants from 11 physical activity interventions, no serious study-related adverse events were reported, indicating a high level of safety in these exercise programs.

While minor musculoskeletal injuries were noted, the studies emphasized a 'start low and go slow' approach, suggesting that moderate-intensity physical activity is safe and effective for sedentary, chronically ill, or older populations.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Screening, safety, and adverse events in physical activity interventions: collaborative experiences from the behavior change consortium. Ory, M., Resnick, B., Jordan, PJ., et al.[2022]

A study involving 134 patients with physical symptoms showed that a 10-session keep-fit exercise program significantly improved physical well-being and reduced stress after one year, indicating its effectiveness as a primary prevention strategy.

The intervention not only enhanced lifestyle changes but also suggested potential reductions in sick leave, which could lead to lower national medical costs if more individuals participated.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Health benefits from a layman intervention in the primary health care. Fridlund, B., Eriksson, B., Isacsson, C., et al.[2019]

In a study of 269 adults aged 50 to 65, specific social support for exercise was found to be a stronger predictor of adherence to a 1-year endurance exercise program than general social support, indicating the importance of targeted encouragement.

Participants preferred less initial support from exercise staff, which was linked to better adherence in the first 6 months, while ongoing support from family and friends became crucial for maintaining adherence in the latter half of the program.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Sources of social support as predictors of exercise adherence in women and men ages 50 to 65 years. Oka, RK., King, AC., Young, DR.[2007]

In a study of 396 college students, it was found that sex and psychosocial factors like exercise self-efficacy and social support significantly influenced the likelihood of meeting physical activity guidelines (PAGs).

Interventions aimed at enhancing psychosocial factors, particularly social support, could effectively encourage students to engage in both aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Factors related to meeting physical activity guidelines in active college students: A social cognitive perspective. Farren, GL., Zhang, T., Martin, SB., et al.[2018]

In a study of 363 college students, esteem social support from friends was found to be the strongest predictor of both total and strenuous leisure-time exercise, highlighting the importance of positive encouragement in promoting physical activity.

Descriptive social norms, which reflect the behaviors of friends, also significantly influenced the frequency of strenuous exercise, indicating that what peers do can motivate individuals to exercise more.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Social support and social norms: do both contribute to predicting leisure-time exercise? Okun, MA., Ruehlman, L., Karoly, P., et al.[2019]

The Consensus on Exercise Reporting Template (CERT) is a 16-item guideline developed to improve the clarity and completeness of exercise intervention descriptions in research, based on input from international exercise experts.

By standardizing how exercise programs are reported, the CERT aims to enhance the replication of studies, increase the clinical application of effective exercise interventions, and ultimately improve patient health outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Consensus on Exercise Reporting Template (CERT): Explanation and Elaboration Statement. Slade, SC., Dionne, CE., Underwood, M., et al.[2022]

Patients with heart disease who participated in a peer support program were generally older and more likely to be female, suggesting that these demographics may be more inclined to seek support for maintaining physical activity.

Over 12 months, those who joined the peer support program maintained their physical activity levels, while those who did not participate experienced a significant decline, indicating that peer support can effectively help sustain activity post-rehabilitation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Peer support to promote physical activity after completion of centre-based cardiac rehabilitation: evaluation of access and effects. Clark, AM., Munday, C., McLaughlin, D., et al.[2022]

Citations

1. knowledgecommons.lakeheadu.ca knowledgecommons.lakeheadu.ca/bitstream/handle/2453/5465/FabianoM2025m-1a.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

1 The SHINE (Supporting Her In Navigating Exercise) Program Pre- and post- test surveys collected quantitative data and showed improvements in the health behaviours of those in the peer-coaching group; ...

2. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06823336

Examining Peer Support to Promote Exercise Among ... The purpose of this randomized controlled pilot trial is to test the effectiveness of a six-week tailored physical activity program with and ...

3. knowledgecommons.lakeheadu.ca knowledgecommons.lakeheadu.ca/handle/2453/5465

The SHINE (Supporting Her In Navigating Exercise) Program All participants were expected to improve all outcomes, with greater gains in the PMP group. Method: Undergraduate women from a mid-sized Canadian university ...

4. scapps.org scapps.org/jems/index.php/1/en/article/view/3624

Examining Peer Support as an Exercise Promotion Tool ... This experimental study will examine the impact of an eight-week exercise-focused, campus-based PMP on FUS adherence and psychological needs.

5. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10532310/

Effects of Peer-Supported and Self-Guided Exercise on Self ... The main purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a peer-supported exercise intervention on young adults (vs. self-guided exercise)