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Development and Testing of a Sports Intervention to Promote Physical Activity in Rural Girls

Not Applicable
Conditions
Healthy
Interventions
Behavioral: Girls PLAY program
Registration Number
NCT06229457
Lead Sponsor
San Diego State University
Brief Summary

The goal of this study is to examine the impact of a 12-week sports sampling and physical literacy program on rural girls' physical activity.

Detailed Description

Fewer than 30% of elementary-aged youth meet physical activity guidelines, with lower activity levels found among girls, racial minorities, and those living in rural areas. Sport is one of the best strategies for promoting physical activity, yet girls, Hispanics, and rural populations participate in youth sport at lower numbers and drop out at a higher rate. In line with Self-Determination Theory, commonly cited barriers include lack of competence, autonomy, and relatedness. Physical literacy and sport sampling have also been identified as key determinants of youth sport participation. Developing interventions around physical literacy and sport sampling, with intervention delivery grounded in Self-Determination Theory principles, is a promising strategy for promoting youth sport. However, the few existing interventions aimed to promote girls' physical activity through sport were developed outside the United States, focused on adolescent (versus younger) girls, and/or conducted among urban or suburban youth, limiting generalizability. Rural, Hispanic girls face unique challenges around sport that should be identified and addressed, yet there remains a paucity of information on determinants of sport participation among this population.

This study aims to to develop, tailor, and examine the impact of a tailored Boys \& Girls Clubs (BGC) sport sampling and physical literacy program on rural girls' physical activity levels. BGC is an organization that provides learning and leadership programs to millions of rural youth nationwide, about half of whom are girls.

This study will enroll Hispanic girls ages 8-10 living in rural Imperial County, California. The first aims are to develop and refine a 12-week sport sampling and physical literacy intervention entitled "Girls Positive Learning Activities for Youth", or "Girls PLAY". The Girls PLAY intervention will be delivered as Boys \& Girls Clubs programming, and intervention delivery will be grounded in Self-Determination Theory. We will then examine the feasibility of the 12-week Girls PLAY intervention. Secondary outcomes of physical activity levels, physical literacy, Self-Determination Theory constructs, and sports participation will also be assessed.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
ENROLLING_BY_INVITATION
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
30
Inclusion Criteria
  • living in Imperial County, California
  • identify as female
  • aged 8-10 years old
  • enrolled at a participating Boys & Girls Club site
Exclusion Criteria
  • has a sibling enrolled in the study
  • physical or mental impairment that would preclude physical activity or protocol compliance

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
SINGLE_GROUP
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Girls PLAY programGirls PLAY program-
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Recruitment capabilityWeeks 10-12

Feasibility metric: successfully enroll 30 participants

Intervention feasibility and participant attendanceWeeks 10-12

Feasibility metric: Mean score ≥3 on the Feasibility of Intervention Measure

Study assessments completedWeeks 10-12

Feasibility metric: ≥75% participants complete time 1 and time 2 assessments

Intervention acceptability and appropriatenessWeeks 10-12

Feasibility metric: Mean score ≥3 on the Acceptability of Intervention Measure; mean score ≥3 on the Intervention Appropriateness Measure

Participant attendanceWeeks 10-12

Attend ≥75% of in-person sessions (on average)

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change from baseline in relatedness at 10-12 weeksWeek 0-1; Week 10-12

Relatedness will be measured using a 5-item acceptance subscale of the Need for Relatedness Scale.

Change from baseline in physical activity levels at 10-12 weeks measured via Actigraph GT3X+Week 0-1; Week 10-12

We will use Actigraph GT3X+ (ActiGraph LLC, Pensacola, FL) to obtain a valid, objective measure of physical activity. Data will be collected over 7 days (sample frequency of 30 Hz; 15-sec epochs).

Change from baseline in competence at 10-12 weeksWeek 0-1; Week 10-12

Competence will be measured using an adapted version of the Perceived Competence Scale (4-item).

Change from baseline in physical literacy at 10-12 weeks measured via the Canadian Assessment for Physical Literacy, Second Edition (CAPL-2)Week 0-1; Week 10-12

Physical literacy changes will be assessed using the Canadian Assessment for Physical Literacy, Second Edition (CAPL-2). This includes the plank, Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run, Canadian Agility \& Movement Skill Assessment, and 22-item questionnaire.

Change from baseline in autonomy at 10-12 weeksWeek 0-1; Week 10-12

Autonomy will be measured using the 9-item Autonomy-Supportive Coaching Questionnaire.

Change in sport enjoyment at 10-12 weeksWeek 0-1; Week 10-12

Enjoyment will be assessed using an adapted 5-item Enjoyment subscale of the Sport Commitment Questionnaire-2.

Change in sport engagement at 10-12 weeksWeek 0-1; Week 10-12

Engagement will be assessed via child survey examining current sport involvement (length of involvement, primary and secondary sport) and behavioral intention (e.g., "I intend to play sports this year") adapted from items used in studies among similar age groups.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

San Diego State University

🇺🇸

San Diego, California, United States

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