Physical Activity and Leisure-time Study (PALS)

University of Tennessee58 enrolled

Overview

Physical inactivity is a major public health problem and a primary contributing factor to the obesity epidemic. While most Americans do not meet the physical activity (PA) guidelines (30 min/day, 5 day/wk), they do report watching several hours of TV each day, and frequently site "lack of time" as a barrier for engaging in PA. The Physical Activity and Leisure-time Study examines an approach convert sedentary TV watching into active TV watching time by having adults step in place during commercials (TV commercial stepping).

This randomized controlled trial will examine the effects of a PA prescription of TV commercial stepping for at least 90 min/day of TV programming, with that of walking at least 30 min/day (30 min walk) on daily step counts, TV viewing, and diet during a 24 week PA intervention. Sedentary, overweight or obese, adults will be randomly assigned to either the TV commercial stepping, or 30 min walk group during a 24-week behavioral PA intervention. Both groups will attend 8 sessions, but receive different PA goals. PA, TV watching time, diet, and anthropometric data will be collected at 0, 12, and 24 weeks. It is hypothesized that the TV commercial stepping condition will, show an equal increase in PA at 12 and 24 weeks as compared to the 30-min walk condition. Neither group is hypothesized to demonstrate changes in TV viewing time, dietary intake, or weight.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Physical Activity Weight

Interventions

TV commercial steppingBEHAVIORAL

Participants were instructed to stand and "briskly" step in place, or "briskly" walk continuously around the room/house for the duration of each commercial break during at least 90 min of TV programming on at least 5 days/week. Both conditions will receive an ankle mounted Omron pedometer, so they were able to track their steps each day. Participants were not given instructions concerning diet modification or modifying TV viewing time during a 6 month behavioral physical activity intervention

30-min walkBEHAVIORAL

Participants were instructed to use "brisk" walking (at least 30 min/day in bouts of at least 10 min) at least 5 days/week. Both conditions will receive an ankle mounted Omron pedometer, so they were able to track their steps each day. Participants were not given instructions concerning diet modification or modifying TV viewing time during a 6 month behavioral physical activity intervention

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 25 YearsMax age: 65 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * 25 to 65 years of age * BMI between 25 and 45 kg/m2 * watch ≥14 hours per week of TV * ability to follow instructions and record data * ability to walk 1/4 mile without stopping Exclusion Criteria: * history of myocardial infraction, angina, stroke, heart failure, or uncontrolled cardiac arrhythmias * a resting blood pressure greater than 180 mm Hg systolic and/or 100 mm Hg diastolic * other physical or medical limitations for engaging in physical activity * no television in the home * baseline physical activity level exceeding 7,499 steps per day as determined by the Omron pedometer * currently participating in a program to increase PA * intended to move outside the East Tennessee area within the time frame of the intervention * were pregnant, lactating, less than 6 months post-partum, or planned to become pregnant during the time frame of the intervention * unwilling to attend group intervention meetings, assessments or to complete an activity diary for the duration of the study.

Locations (1)

HPER Building, 1914 Andy Holt Ave.

Knoxville, Tennessee, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Physical Activity (Steps/Day)

Change in pedometer measured steps per day between 0 and 6 months

Time frame: 0 and 6 months

Secondary Outcomes

Total Energy Intake

Change in total energy intake(kcals/day) between 0 and 6 months

Time frame: 0 and 6 months

TV Related Energy Intake

Change in energy intake (kcals/day) while watching TV between 0 and 6 months

Time frame: 0 and 6 months

Weight

Change in weight in kgs between 0 and 6 months

Time frame: 0 and 6 months

TV Viewing Time

Change in self-reported TV viewing time per day between 0 and 6 months

Time frame: 0 and 6 months

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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