Preliminary Efficacy of a Strength Training Intervention on Exercise Adherence and Weight Among Pre-Menopausal Women
Condition: Physical Inactivity; Obesity
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      The purpose of this study is to examine the feasibility and acceptability of a strength
      training-based intervention on exercise adherence among low active (defined as engaging in
      physical activity 90 minutes or less per week), pre-menopausal women ages 40-50, along with
      the effect on weight and various psychosocial measures. Participants will be randomly
      assigned to a strength training-based intervention or a wait-list control each lasting three
      months (participants in the no contact, wait-list control condition will have the option of
      receiving the strength training-based intervention following the three months).
    

Detailed description: 
      Participants will be randomly assigned to a strength training-based exercise intervention or
      a no contact, wait-list control each lasting three months (participants in the no contact,
      wait-list control will have the option of receiving the strength training-based intervention
      following the three months). The strength training-based exercise intervention will be
      delivered via group-based Zoom sessions, motivational email messages, and a website.
      Participants will take part in two group-based Zoom exercise sessions (40-minute exercise
      sessions and 20 minutes of motivational counseling) and two individual exercise sessions per
      week for six months. Exercise sessions will include a combination of various aerobic (e.g.,
      jogging in place, high knees) and muscle strengthening exercises (e.g., burpees, push-ups,
      lunges, body weight squats) designed to keep heart rate in the 60-85% range of maximum heart
      rate. Participants will choose from a variety of options for their two individual sessions
      (e.g., online exercise video, jogging or walking outside, prescribed exercise session listed
      on the website, or any other exercise) and modifications for each exercise will be made
      depending on the participant's ability and current fitness and strength level (e.g., wall
      push-ups vs. knee push-ups vs. regular push-ups). Participants will be instructed to stop
      exercising if problems occur and will receive training and handouts on how to recognize
      problems such as angina and myocardial infarction symptoms.

      Self-Determination Theory (SDT) and habit formation theory will guide the content of the
      counseling portion of the Zoom sessions and the motivational features of the study website
      and text messages. Motivational counseling will be focused on increasing motivation to
      exercise and habit formation. The goal is to achieve integrated regulation and therefore, the
      health counselor will focus on positive affective response to exercise sessions and discuss
      how being physically active is becoming part of their self-identity. The goal will be high
      intrinsic motivation (i.e., individuals engage in exercise due to inherent pleasure) since it
      is related to higher levels of exercise. Strength training-based participants will also
      receive access to a mobile phone-friendly study website and will receive emails. Both the
      website and email messages will contain motivational content to complete the exercise
      sessions. The motivational website will also include an online log to track completion of
      home-based sessions and options for individual-based exercise sessions.. Assessment of
      exercise adherence, weight, and psychosocial variables will occur at baseline and three
      months.
    

Intervention name(s): Strength training-based exercise
Intervention type(s): Behavioral
Intervention description(s): Participants will take part in two group-based Zoom exercise sessions and two individual exercise sessions per week for three months. Exercise sessions will include a combination of various aerobic (e.g., jogging in place, high knees) and muscle strengthening exercises (e.g., burpees, push-ups, lunges, body weight squats) designed to keep heart rate in the 60-85% range of maximum heart rate. Participants will choose from a variety of options for their two individual sessions (e.g., online exercise video, jogging or walking outside, prescribed exercise session listed on the website, or any other exercise) and modifications for each exercise will be made depending on the participant's ability and current fitness and strength level. Participants will be instructed to stop exercising if problems occur and will receive training and handouts on how to recognize problems such as angina and myocardial infarction.
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single (Outcomes Assessor)
Primary purpose: Prevention
Keywords: strength training; group-based exercise; pre-menopausal; exercise adherence