Brief Program in Reducing Sedentary Behavior and Promoting Physical Exercise
- Conditions
- Physical Activity
- Interventions
- Behavioral: Physical Activity
- Registration Number
- NCT02645071
- Lead Sponsor
- The University of Hong Kong
- Brief Summary
Lack of physical activity was found to be a local and worldwide issue. Most Hong Kong people are having sedentary lifestyle. Researchers show that the increase of physical activity reduces the risk of chronic diseases, and improve cardio-pulmonary functions; whereas sedentary behaviors increase the risks.
For many people, the targets of the WHO physical activity guidelines are too high to be achieved. Some people are not even willing to try, despite the evidence for the protective benefits to their long term health. In response, a recent focus has been placed upon reduction of sedentary behavior. Sedentary behavior is defined as 'those activities that do not increase energy expenditure substantially above the resting level, such as sitting, lying down, or viewing TV, or simply as "too much sitting". The primary determinants of sedentary behavior are behavioral and context-based, such as TV and screen-focused behaviors in home and work environments, sitting at work, and sitting during transport. The public health leaders have called for reducing the time spent in sedentary behaviors as a possible public health priority. This study will focus on reduction of sedentary behavior and increasing physical activity in daily life. We hypothesize that the training programs would promote the health awareness of the participants.
- Detailed Description
Physical activity is believed to contribute to physical and mental health, as well as social well-being. World Health organization (WHO) proposed that tobacco use, alcohol abuse, poor diets and physical inactivity are the common risk factors for non-communicable diseases (NCD) (WHO, 2014). The health benefits of regular physical activity (PA) are well established, including positive associations with psychological well-being and an inverse relationship with various illnesses.
Lack of physical activity was found to be a local and worldwide issue and most Hong Kong people are having a sedentary lifestyle. Studies show that the increase of physical activity reduces the risk of chronic diseases, and improve cardio-pulmonary functions; whereas sedentary behaviors increase the risks. In response, a recent focus has been placed upon reduction of sedentary behavior. The primary determinants of sedentary behavior are behavioral and context-based, such as TV and screen-focused behaviors in home and work environments, sitting at work, and sitting during transport. As a result, public health leaders have called for reducing the time spent in sedentary behaviors as a possible public health priority.
This study will focus on reduction of sedentary behavior and increasing physical activity in daily life. The intervention will promote activities that can be done without using extra time (Zero-time exercise). These exercises will encourage participants to use larger muscle groups than they would simply sitting or standing, but are designed to be done by all ages and all fitness levels. For example, while standing, participants will be encouraged to balance on one leg, which will engage stomach and leg muscles. There is evidence that these types of movements create cardiovascular and skeletal muscle changes.
The intervention is a 15- to 20- minute interactive session program, which aims to reduce participants' sedentary behavior and increase physical activity by increasing their motivation, self-efficacy and knowledge of different types of easy movements (Zero-time exercises). We hypothesize that the training programs would promote the health awareness of the participants.
The primary objective is to promote the health awareness on reducing sedentary behavior and/or increasing physical exercise. The secondary objectives are to enhance intention and confidence of participants to encourage their family members to reduce sedentary and/or increasing physical exercise.
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- COMPLETED
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 141
- Chinese speaking
- Able to complete the questionnaire
- Aged 18 or above
- People with serious health condition that might prevent them from participating in physical activity
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- SINGLE_GROUP
- Arm && Interventions
Group Intervention Description Physical activity Physical Activity The experimental arm is a 15-20 min interactive session, which aims to reduce participants' sedentary behavior and increase physical activity by increasing their motivation, self-efficacy, and knowledge of different types of easy exercises.
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Change in intention on performing physical activity in relation to reduce sedentary behavior baseline, immediately following the training session, 2 weeks Intention on performing physical activity in relation to reduce sedentary behavior, will be assessed by outcome-based physical activity questionnaire
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Change in perceived knowledge on performing physical activity in relation to reduce sedentary behavior baseline, immediately following training, 2 weeks Perceived knowledge on performing physical activity in relation to reduce sedentary behavior, will be assessed by outcome-based physical activity questionnaire
Change in participants' family well-being baseline, 2 weeks Family well-being will be assessed by family well-being scale
Change in participants' own health and happiness baseline, 2 weeks Personal health and happiness will be assessed by personal health and happiness scale
Change in confidence on performing physical activity in relation to reduce sedentary behavior baseline, immediately following training, 2 weeks Confidence on performing physical activity in relation to reduce sedentary behavior, will be assessed by outcome-based physical activity questionnaire
Change in behaviour on performing physical activity in relation to reduce sedentary behavior baseline, 2 weeks Behaviour on performing physical activity in relation to reduce sedentary behavior, will be assessed by outcome-based physical activity questionnaire
Change in intention to motivate participants' family members to reduce sedatry behvaiour baseline, immediately following training, 2 weeks Intention to motivate participants' family members on reducing sedentary behaviour, will be assessed by outcome-based physical activity questionnaire
Trial Locations
- Locations (1)
Department of Health
ðŸ‡ðŸ‡°Hong Kong, Hong Kong