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.
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.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
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
London Knights
London, Ontario, Canada
Sarnia Sting
Sarnia, Ontario, Canada
Weight loss (absolute and percentage)
Measured using digital weight scale
Time frame: 12 weeks
Weight loss (absolute and percentage)
Measured using digital weight scale
Time frame: 12 months (Hockey FIT group only)
Average steps per day using pedometer
Measured over a 7-day period using pedometers
Time frame: 12 weeks (& 12 months - Hockey FIT group only)
Total physical activity in MET-minutes/week using questionnaire
International Physical Activity Questionnaire - Short Version
Time frame: 12 weeks (& 12 months - Hockey FIT group only)
Time spent in sedentary activity using questionnaire
Measured by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire - Short Version
Time frame: 12 weeks (& 12 months - Hockey FIT group only)
Eating habits: Fatty food score using questionnaire
Measured by the modified Dietary Instrument for Nutrition Education
Time frame: 12 weeks (& 12 months - Hockey FIT group only)
Eating habits: fruit and vegetable score using questionnaire
Measured by the modified Dietary Instrument for Nutrition Education
Time frame: 12 weeks (& 12 months - Hockey FIT group only)
Eating habits: sugary food score using questionnaire
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SINGLE
Enrollment
80
Measured by the modified Dietary Instrument for Nutrition Education
Time frame: 12 weeks (& 12 months - Hockey FIT group only)
Eating habits: Starting the conversation summary score using questionnaire
Measured by Starting the Conversation Dietary Assessment Tool
Time frame: 12 weeks (& 12 months - Hockey FIT group only)
Alcohol consumption using recall questionnaire
Measured by a 7-day alcohol recall (number of drinks in last 7 days)
Time frame: 12 weeks (& 12 months - Hockey FIT group only)
Resting systolic blood pressure
Measured using automated blood pressure monitor
Time frame: 12 weeks (& 12 months - Hockey FIT group only)
Resting diastolic blood pressure
Measured using automated blood pressure monitor
Time frame: 12 weeks (& 12 months - Hockey FIT group only)
Waist circumference
Measured using tape measure
Time frame: 12 weeks (& 12 months - Hockey FIT group only)
Body mass index using height and weight measures
Height will be measured with a portable stadiometer; weight will be measured with a digital weight scale
Time frame: 12 weeks (& 12 months - Hockey FIT group only)
Self-esteem summary score using questionnaire
Summary score from Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale
Time frame: 12 weeks (& 12 months - Hockey FIT group only)
Positive affect score using questionnaire
Measured by the International Positive and Negative Affect Schedule Short Form
Time frame: 12 weeks (& 12 months - Hockey FIT group only)
Negative affect score using questionnaire
Measured by the International Positive and Negative Affect Schedule Short Form
Time frame: 12 weeks (& 12 months - Hockey FIT group only)
Health-related quality of life: Descriptive health state using questionnaire
EQ-5D index measured by EQ-5D-3L
Time frame: 12 weeks (& 12 months - Hockey FIT group only)
Health-related quality of life: VAS using questionnaire
EQ VAS measured by EQ-5D-3L
Time frame: 12 weeks (& 12 months - Hockey FIT group only)