Background and Rationale: Physical inactivity in young adults is common and increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and some cancers. Awareness-based education that helps individuals reflect on daily routines may support lasting increases in physical activity better than information alone. Objective: To determine whether a 10-week Physical Activity Awareness education program-alone or combined with a brief weekly supervised exercise class-improves muscle performance and exercise participation in healthy, sedentary young adults. Study Design: Single-center, double-masked, randomized controlled trial. Participants are randomized to one of two parallel groups. Outcome assessors are blinded to group allocation; intervention staff are separate from assessors. Baseline and post-intervention assessments are performed over 10 weeks. Participants and Eligibility: Healthy volunteers aged 18-25 years who are inactive or minimally active (per standardized questionnaires), spend \>6 hours/day sitting (outside of sleep), and have body mass index ≤30 kg/m². Key exclusions include conditions that make exercise unsafe (e.g., significant visual/vestibular/neurologic disorders), recent spine or lower-limb surgery or fracture, severe musculoskeletal pain limiting movement, pregnancy risk, pacemaker or metal implants, or current athletic training. Interventions: Education Only: A 10-week Physical Activity Awareness education program delivered by physiotherapists (health benefits of activity, types of exercise, strategies to reduce sitting time, building enjoyable routines). Education + Exercise: The same education program plus one supervised group exercise class per week (40 minutes; music-based aerobic activity, core strengthening, warm-up and cool-down). Assessments and Endpoints: Primary Endpoint: Trunk endurance on the static forearm plank test (time in seconds maintaining proper alignment). Secondary Endpoints: Bilateral handgrip strength (best of three trials per hand, kilograms); Modified Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test (MCKCUEST) (number of alternating hand touches in 15 seconds while maintaining trunk stability); standing long jump (best distance, centimeters); and self-reported physical activity and exercise participation. Potential Benefits and Risks: Participants may gain practical knowledge and improvements in fitness and function. Risks are low for healthy adults but may include temporary muscle soreness, fatigue, or strain. Sessions are supervised by trained staff and exercises can be modified for comfort and safety. Confidentiality: Personal information is kept confidential. Data are coded and analyzed in aggregate; individual identities are not reported. Study Setting and Duration: University-based study with assessments at the start and end of a 10-week period. The study follows the Declaration of Helsinki and has institutional ethics approval.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
216
Ten-week, group-based education delivered by physiotherapists to increase physical activity awareness and self-management. Weekly modules cover: health benefits of physical activity; differentiating physical activity vs exercise; strategies to reduce sitting time; behavior-change techniques (goal setting, self-monitoring, implementation intentions); sleep/screen-time hygiene; safety and progression; building enjoyable routines. Brief reflection/home logs support self-monitoring. No supervised exercise is provided within this intervention.
Add-on, once-weekly, 40-minute supervised group exercise session for 10 weeks. Session structure: \~5-min warm-up; \~20-min rhythmic/aerobic activity at moderate intensity (e.g., RPE 12-14); \~10-min core/strength work; \~5-min cool-down. Exercises are coach-guided with options to modify for comfort and safety. Attendance is recorded to monitor adherence.
Istanbul Atlas University
Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)
Change in Static Forearm Plank Time (seconds)
Trunk (core) endurance is assessed with the standard forearm plank test. Participants assume a prone forearm plank with elbows under shoulders and feet hip-width apart, maintaining neutral spine and pelvis. After one familiarization attempt, two timed trials are recorded with ≥2 minutes rest; the best valid time (seconds) is used. Assessors terminate timing upon loss of alignment or voluntary stop. The primary outcome is the change score (post - baseline); higher values indicate better endurance. Trained assessors, standardized instructions, and a written manual of procedures are used to ensure reliability.
Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and 10 weeks (post-intervention)
Change from Baseline in Trunk Flexion Endurance Time (seconds) at 10 Weeks
Supine with hips and knees at 90° and trunk inclined to 60° on a prefabricated wedge. After the wedge is moved back 10 cm, time is recorded until the participant visually re-contacts the wedge. Standard method: feet stabilized with straps; modified method: clinician holds the feet. Longer time indicates better endurance.
Time frame: Baseline and 10 weeks (post-intervention)
Change from Baseline in Modified Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test (Touches/15 s) at 10 Weeks
Two parallel tape lines placed 91.4 cm apart. From a push-up position with third fingers aligned over each line, the participant alternately touches the dorsum of the opposite hand for 15 s while maintaining trunk stability. After one familiarization trial, three maximal trials are performed; the mean number of touches is analyzed. Higher values indicate better functional stability.
Time frame: Baseline and 10 weeks (post-intervention)
Change from Baseline in Bilateral Handgrip Strength (kg) at 10 Weeks
Maximal isometric handgrip strength measured with a JAMAR dynamometer. Participant seated, shoulder adducted, elbow at 90°, forearm and wrist neutral. Three trials per hand with ≥30-s rest; the highest value per hand (kg) is recorded. The outcome is the change from baseline to 10 weeks for both the dominant and non-dominant hands (reported separately). Higher values indicate better strength.
Time frame: Baseline and 10 weeks (post-intervention)
Change from Baseline in Standing Long Jump Distance (cm) at 10 Weeks
From a two-footed standing start behind the line, the participant jumps forward maximally. Distance from the take-off line to the nearest heel on landing is measured (cm). At least two valid trials; the best distance is analyzed. Higher values indicate better explosive lower-limb performance.
Time frame: Baseline and 10 weeks (post-intervention)
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