Family Habit Physical Activity Study

Not Applicable

Recruiting

• Conditions: Physical Activity

• Registration Number: NCT03145688
• Lead Sponsor: University of Victoria

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to examine physical activity habit formation in parents and if this can increase moderate to vigorous physical activity behavior in their children over six months. The Primary Research Question is:

Does the habit formation condition result in increased moderate-vigorous intensity physical activity of the child compared to the control (education) and education + planning conditions at six months? Hypothesis: Child physical activity will be higher for the habit formation condition in comparison to the more standard physical activity education and planning conditions at six months.

Detailed Description

Secondary Research Questions

1. Does the habit formation condition improve child health-related quality of life, and health-related fitness outcomes compared to the control and planning conditions at six months? Hypothesis: Child health-related fitness and quality of life will be higher for the habit formation condition in comparison to the control and planning conditions.

2. Can group differences among behavioural, and health-related fitness outcomes be explained through a mediation model? Hypothesis: The covariance of the assigned conditions (habit formation, planning + education, education control) on child physical activity will be explained by parental support habit, and through the use of consistency and cues regulation strategies (i.e., manipulation check). In turn, the covariance between support habit and health-related outcomes will be explained by physical activity among conditions. The habit formation condition will not affect parental support intentions or underlying outcome expectations (benefits of physical activity) for support of child physical activity because its effect on behavior is to tie initial intentions to behavioural action or to work independent of goals and intentions.

3. Is there an intergenerational, seasonal, or gender difference across primary outcomes by assigned condition? Hypothesis: Parents in the habit formation condition will show higher physical activity via some activities being performed with their children in comparison to the other conditions. No differences in gender or season are hypothesized but these are exploratory research questions because there is limited research at present \[28\] to make any definitive statement.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2017-01-27
• Study Start: 2017-02-12
• Study First Submitted QC: 2017-05-04
• Study First Posted: 2017-05-09
• Status Verified: 2025-03
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-03-31
• Last Update Posted: 2025-04-01
• Primary Completion: 2025-09
• Study Completion: 2025-12

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 240

Inclusion Criteria

• parents with children between the ages of 6 and 12 years
• self-report low family physical activity
• target child is not meeting Canada's Physical Activity guidelines

Exclusion Criteria

• participant is unsafe to participate in physical activity as determined by answers to the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q)

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change from baseline in children's physical activity to 6 months	Baseline & 6 months	Children's physical activity will be quantified by accelerometry. Children will wear an accelerometer for a minimum of 10 hours per day for 7 days at baseline and 6 months. Additionally this measure will assess intermediate outcomes at 6 weeks and 3 months.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change from baseline in height at 6 months	baseline and 6 months	Height will be measured in centimeters using a stadiometer as per standard anthropometric procedures. Change in height will be examined from baseline to 6 months (post-intervention). Height measurement will also contribute to change in BMI.
Change from baseline in grip strength at 6 months (MSK fitness)	baseline and 6 months	Grip strength of the target child will be measured using the Canadian CSEP standardized protocols. Change in grip strength from baseline to 6 months (i.e., post-intervention) will be examined
Change from baseline in personal physical activity to six months (child PA)	Baseline & 6 months	The target child will complete a modified version of the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children (PAQ-C) to assess habitual moderate to vigorous physical activity. The Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire (LSI) will be used to measure parent-reported child physical activity. Questions assess intensity, frequency, and duration of physical activity in an average week. These measures will be assessed at baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months.
Change from baseline in self-reported family based physical activity to six months	Baseline & 6 months	A modified Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire (LSI) will be used to measure parent reported family physical activity. Questions ask about frequency and duration of structured vs unstructured physical activity performed as a family. Additionally, this measure will assess intermediate outcomes at 6 weeks and 3 months
Change from baseline in weight at 6 months	baseline and 6 months	Weight will be measured in kilograms using a scale as per standard anthropometric procedures. Change in weight will be examined from baseline to 6 months (post-intervention). Weight measurement will also contribute to change in BMI.
Change from baseline in waist circumference at 6 months	baseline and 6 months	Waist circumference will be measured in centimeters using a tape measuer as per standard anthropometric procedures. Change in waist circumference will be examined from baseline to 6 months (post-intervention).
Change from baseline in BMI at 6 months	baseline and 6 months	Change in BMI will be examined from baseline to 6 months (post intervention) using height and weight measurements in the following formula: (weight in kg)/(height in meters)\^2.
Change from baseline in sit and reach flexibility at 6 months	baseline and 6 months	Sit and reach flexibility of the target child will be measured using the Canadian CSEP standardized protocols. Change in sit and reach flexibility from baseline to 6 months (i.e., post-intervention) will be examined
Change from baseline in cardiovascular fitness at 6 months	baseline and 6 months	The Leger Shuttle Run will be used to assess cardiovascular fitness for target child. Change in cardiovascular fitness from baseline to 6 months (i.e., post-intervention) will be examined.
Change from baseline in parent support of child's physical activity at 6 weeks	baseline and 6 weeks	The Activity Support Scale for Multiple Groups (ACTS-MG) will be used to measure parent support of child PA.
Change from baseline in parent support of child's physical activity at 6 months	baseline and 6 months	The Activity Support Scale for Multiple Groups (ACTS-MG) will be used to measure parent support of child PA.
Change from baseline in plank test time at 6 months	baseline and 6 months	Sit and reach flexibility of the target child will be measured using the Canadian CSEP standardized protocols. Change in plank test time from baseline to 6 months (i.e., post-intervention) will be examined
Change from baseline in parent support of child's physical activity at 3 months	baseline and 3 months	The Activity Support Scale for Multiple Groups (ACTS-MG) will be used to measure parent support of child PA.
Change from baseline in parent support habits of child physical activity at 6 months (a)	baseline and 6 months	Self report habit strength index will be used to measure parental support habit for child Physical Activity. This tool measures habit strength and automaticity at baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Behavioural Medicine Lab, University of Victoria; 🇨🇦 Victoria, British Columbia, Canada