None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
This study will investigate the feasibility of implementing the RuFIT programme in overweight New Zealand (NZ) males, a notoriously difficult-to-engage and under-researched group. The programme will be modified from the Scottish Football Fans in Training (FFIT) programme, which has been shown to be highly effective. The RuFIT programme (the first of its kind in NZ) aims to address underlying barriers to male participation in healthy lifestyle programmes, harnessing the psychology of sports fandom, and appealing to deeply rooted values in NZ culture about rugby being a ‘manly’ exercise. Findings from the feasibility study will inform a large effectiveness trial of the RuFIT programme. The feasibility study follows on from the pilot study, which was conducted earlier in 2015. The pilot study was undertaken in 20 men and was designed to assess the components of the RuFIT programme in NZ men. Based on the feedback provided by the participants, the programme delivered in the RuFIT feasibility study will be better tailored to address the needs of Pacific men. In particular, more focus will be placed on the role of family members supporting the men, and healthy eating for different groups.
Interventions
This study will investigate the feasibility of implementing the RuFIT programme in overweight New Zealand males. RuFIT has been modified from the Scottish Football Fans in Training (FFIT) programme, and is a healthy lifestyle programme delivered through professional rugby clubs and designed to help men make healthier lifestyle choices to reduce their bodyweight and improve their health. The 12-week intervention consists of twice weekly sessions which will be run at the rugby club (The Blues in
This study will investigate the feasibility of implementing the RuFIT programme in overweight New Zealand males. RuFIT has been modified from the Scottish Football Fans in Training (FFIT) programme, and is a healthy lifestyle programme delivered through professional rugby clubs and designed to help men make healthier lifestyle choices to reduce their bodyweight and improve their health. The 12-week intervention consists of twice weekly sessions which will be run at the rugby club (The Blues in Auckland and the Highlanders in Otago). Participants will receive training and fitness advice from the club trainers, in addition to education sessions on goal setting, lifestyle medicine, nutrition, physical activity, sleep, sedentary behaviour, and long-term maintenance of sustaining a healthier lifestyle. Participants will attend two 75-mintue sessions per week (one during the weekend and one during the working week). The weekend session will consist of an education session followed by a physical activity session, while the session during the working week will consist of a physical activity session only. The education sessions will be run in an informal setting, where the participants will sit in a circle and have the opportunity to discuss the content of the presentation as a group. At the end of each education session, participants will make a goal that is relevant to the content that was delivered during the session. All the education sessions will be run by either the club trainer, club doctor, or club nutritionist, except three nutrition sessions which will be run by a community nutrition group (e.g. Pacific Heartbeat). The physical activity program will be designed to progressively increase in difficulty over 12 weeks. The first 4 weeks will predominantly consist of aerobic off-feet conditioning (rower and bike) and body weight exercises (squats, push ups, body weight rows, lunges and core work). The second 4 weeks will consist of the same exercises as above but will also introduce external loads (e.g. Kettle bells, Dumbbells, barbells etc.) Running volume will also increased. The last 4 weeks will combine all of the above and involve strength, aerobic, and anaerobic conditioning. In addition, there will also be a number of small-sided games sessions. All participants will also receive a pedometer to monitor their step count. Roll calls will be taken at the beginning of each session to assess adherence to the programme.
Sponsors
University of Auckland
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Educational / counselling / training
Masking
Open (masking not used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
Male
Age
25 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Overweight males (with a BMI of 25 kg/m2 or over) aged 25-65 years who are wanting to improve their physical fitness and diet; Are able to safely undertake physical activity; Can understand and read English; Are able to provide written consent to take part in the study.
Exclusion criteria
Has been told by their doctor that they have a heart condition and that they should only do physical activity recommended by a doctor; Has pain in chest when doing physical activity; Has had pain in chest when not doing physical activity during the last month; Lose their balance because of dizziness or if they ever lose consciousness; Has a bone or joint problem (for example, back, knee, or hip) that could be made worse by a change in physical activity; Their doctor is currently prescribing drugs (for example, water pills) for blood pressure or a heart condition; Any other reason why they should not do physical activity.
Outcome results
None listed