Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Health Promotion, Healthy Lifestyle, Psychological Well-being, Sedentary Behavior
Conditions
Keywords
University health promotion, Physical activity intervention, Mediterranean diet adherence, Lifestyle behavior change, Psychological well-being, Self-esteem, Emotional intelligence, Non-communicable diseases prevention, Young adults, Controlled educational intervention
Brief summary
This study evaluates the effectiveness of a structured, supervised university-based program that combines physical activity and health education to promote healthy lifestyle behaviors and psychological well-being. The program, called Ponte en Forma, is implemented at the University of Vigo (Campus of Ourense, Spain) as part of its institutional health promotion strategy. Adult participants (students, university staff, and community members) are allocated either to an intervention group, which takes part in the supervised Ponte en Forma program, or to a control group, which continues their usual unsupervised exercise routine. The intervention lasts four months and includes three weekly supervised exercise sessions plus biweekly counseling focused on healthy eating, prevention of tobacco and alcohol use, and emotional well-being. The main outcomes assessed include body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, resting heart rate, and adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Secondary outcomes include self-esteem, emotional intelligence, health-related quality of life, and lifestyle habits.
Detailed description
The Ponte en Forma program is a university-based health promotion initiative designed to improve physical, dietary, and psychological health through a combination of supervised exercise and lifestyle counseling. The program is implemented at the University of Vigo (Campus of Ourense, Spain) during the 2016-2017 academic year. Study Design This is a quasi-experimental, non-randomized, controlled intervention study. Participants are users of the University Sports Service. The intervention group participates in the supervised Ponte en Forma program, while the control group continues their regular unsupervised exercise activities. Allocation is based on type of enrollment and participant preference. Intervention Details The program includes three weekly sessions of supervised physical activity (aerobic, strength, flexibility, and balance training) and biweekly group or individual counseling sessions. Counseling addresses nutrition and the Mediterranean diet, avoidance of tobacco and alcohol consumption, and strategies for emotional well-being. Outcome Measures Primary outcomes: Body Mass Index (BMI) Systolic and diastolic blood pressure Resting heart rate Adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MEDAS-14) Secondary outcomes: Physical activity level (IPAQ-SF) Tobacco and alcohol use Self-esteem (Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale) Emotional intelligence (TMMS-24) Health-related quality of life (SF-12, EQ-VAS) Body image perception and risk of disordered eating (SCOFF) Ethical Considerations The study was approved by the Galician Clinical Research Ethics Committee (Ref. 2016/567), and all participants provided written informed consent.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALPonte en Forma Program
A structured behavioral intervention combining supervised physical training and lifestyle education over a four-month period. The intervention included: Supervised exercise three times per week, integrating aerobic, strength, flexibility, and balance components adapted to individual fitness levels. Biweekly counseling sessions on healthy eating, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, prevention of tobacco and alcohol use, and emotional well-being strategies. Conducted by qualified sports science professionals and health educators. Other Name(s): University-based health promotion program
Sponsors
Fundacin Biomedica Galicia Sur
Study design
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Masking description
Not applicable. Due to the nature of the educational and physical activity intervention, neither participants nor study staff could be blinded to group assignment.
Intervention model description
This study used a parallel-group, controlled educational intervention design. Participants were assigned to either the Ponte en Forma supervised physical activity and lifestyle counseling program (intervention group) or to a control group performing unsupervised exercise at the university facilities. Allocation was non-randomized and based on voluntary program enrollment.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
Adults aged between 18 and 65 years. Members of the university community (students, academic staff, or administrative personnel) enrolled in the University Sports Service. Willingness to participate in the 4-month supervised physical activity and health education program. Ability to provide written informed consent.
Exclusion criteria
Presence of any medical condition that contraindicates physical exercise (e.g., unstable cardiovascular disease, severe musculoskeletal injury, or uncontrolled hypertension). Current participation in another structured exercise or nutrition program. Pregnancy. Inability to attend at least 75% of scheduled sessions.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Systolic and Diastolic Blood Pressure (SBP and DBP) | Baseline and Month 4 | Mean change in systolic and diastolic blood pressure (mmHg) from baseline to 4 months. |
| Change in Body Mass Index (BMI) | Baseline and Month 4 | Mean change in participants' body mass index (BMI, kg/m²) from baseline to 4 months, comparing the supervised intervention group and the control group. |
| Change in Resting Heart Rate (HR) | Baseline and Month 4 | Mean change in resting heart rate (beats per minute) from baseline to 4 months. |
| Change in Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (MEDAS-14 score) | Baseline and Month 4 | Change in adherence to the Mediterranean diet assessed using the 14-item MEDAS questionnaire. |
Outcome results
None listed