Hockey Fans in Training (Hockey FIT): A Pilot Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial
Condition: Overweight; Obesity
MeSH terms: Overweight
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      The Hockey Fans in Training (Hockey FIT) program aims to improve overweight men's physical
      fitness, eating habits and health-related lifestyle choices through a lifestyle modification
      program in collaboration with two Ontario Hockey League teams. In this pilot pragmatic
      randomized controlled trial, the investigators plan to explore the potential for Hockey FIT
      to reduce a clinically important amount of weight, increase physical activity levels, and
      lead to improvements in other health-related outcomes.
    

Detailed description: 
      In the United Kingdom, the Football Fans in Training (FFIT) program was developed to
      encourage men to lead a healthier lifestyle through a sport-related medium. FFIT is a
      gender-sensitized, weight loss and healthy living program developed for delivery to
      overweight and obese men through professional football clubs. Published results from FFIT
      show that the program was able to actively recruit and engage men and for the men who
      participated, sustained weight loss and positive lifestyle change was observed (Hunt et al.,
      2014).

      This study will use a two-arm, pilot pragmatic randomized controlled trial (RCT) design. The
      investigators will conduct the study in conjunction with two Ontario Junior A Hockey Clubs.
      Following assessment of eligibility and baseline measurements, men will be individually
      randomized (1:1; stratified by club) to either the intervention group (receiving the Hockey
      FIT program) or to the comparison group (usual care wait-list control). The comparison group
      will be offered to start the Hockey FIT program after a 12-week delay. All men (both
      intervention and comparison groups) will receive publicly available healthy eating and
      physical activity materials at baseline. Measurements will be taken at baseline and 12 weeks
      (both groups) and again at 12 months (intervention group only).

      The results of this study will be used to inform a fully-powered RCT where the primary
      objective will be to determine whether, compared to the usual care wait-list control group,
      the Hockey FIT group will lose weight (at least 5% weight loss from baseline) at 12 months.
    

Intervention name(s): Hockey FIT Program
Intervention type(s): Behavioral
Intervention description(s): Active phase: a) Classroom-based education on successful weight management strategies and instruction on behaviour change techniques/dietary interventions; promote peer and other forms of social support; and b) Physical activity sessions in aerobic/strength/flexibility exercises. Maintenance phase: Participants independently set new lifestyle prescriptions and goals and track their exercise, physical activity, and healthy eating with the support of a suite of free-of-charge health technology support tools
Other intervention name(s): Hockey Fans in Training Program; Hockey Fans in Training; Hockey FIT
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single (Investigator)
Primary purpose: Prevention
Keywords: Chronic Disease; Lifestyle Intervention; Health Promotion; Sport Mentorship; Men; Health Technology; Prevention; Exercise; Diet