Integrating Smartphone Technology and the Outdoor Built Environment to Promote Aerobic and Resistance-based Physical Activity in the General Population: The ecofit Randomised Controlled Trial

The ecofit is an innovative 9-month multi-component physical activity intervention study. The intervention aims to increase aerobic and resistance-based physical activity through the use of smartphone technology, social support and the outdoor built environment in the general population. The intervention targets individuals who do not meet the current aerobic and/or resistance-based physical activity guidelines in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie City Council areas, New South Wales (NSW), Australia. The intervention incorporates: - The ecofit smartphone app: The app is comprised of multiple functions, including: Standardised workouts, Workout locations, Workout categories, Self-monitoring functions (These include, to set weekly workout goals, track workout history, track past work out goals and monitor progress), Exercise library, Resources (The resource folder include information regarding the physical, psychological and clinical benefits of aerobic and resistance-based physical activity and the current physical activity guidelines). These resources have been specifically designed for this study. It is not mandatory for participants to use all aspects of the app, i.e., accessing the resource folder is optional. Having the app usage data will allow us to monitor adherence to the intervention. Standardised workouts: Each workout is composed of eight resistance-based exercises (i.e., two core, two upper body, two lower body, one chest and one back) that targets major muscle groups. Participants can choose between two types of workouts ('Fixed' or 'Trail-based'). At the ‘Fixed’ locations the equipment is clustered in one spot, whereas at the ‘Trail-based’ exercise location, the outdoor exercise equipment is located along a trail. Once the workout type has been chosen, participants will select between three types of training categories; ‘resistance only’, ‘resistance and aerobic’ or integrated resistance and aerobic’. The resistance only option consist of eight resistance-based exercises. While all exercises will cover the same body parts (i.e., two core, two upper body, two lower body, one chest and one back), the types of exercises may vary slight between parks depending on the availability of equipment. The ‘resistance and aerobic’ option consists of an added aerobic workout (i.e., run, jog or brisk walk) for 20 minutes upon completion of all the resistance-based exercises. The ‘integrated resistance and aerobic’ option alternates one resistance-based exercise with a short bout of aerobic activity (i.e., 60-second run). To allow for participant progress and targeting users of different fitness levels, the app has built in three different difficulty levels (i.e., beginner, intermediate, and experienced). For example, a beginner-level push-up is completed on the knees whereas an experience-level push-up is completed on the toes. - 90 minute introductory group session run by an exercise physiologist: The session will help to educate participants on: (1) how to perform correct techniques of the exercises included in the program; (2) how to access and use the ecofit app; (3) and provided with an app user guide. Participants will be encourage to do 2 or more app workouts per week, for the duration of the intervention. Assessments are conducted at baseline, 3-months (primary time point) and 9-months (follow-up). The intervention will be administered by an Exercise Specialist. This study will generate novel findings regarding the effect of using smartphone technology, social support and the outdoor build environment to improve physical activity levels in the general population.