Physical ActivityNCT03145688
Family Habit Physical Activity Study
A study testing Family Physical Activity Planning and Family Physical Activity Habit Formation in people with Physical Activity, run by University of Victoria at 1 site in Canada.
Trial summary
The purpose of this study is to examine physical activity habit formation in parents and if this can increase moderate to vigorous physical activity behavior in their children over six months. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 6 to 12 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Physical Activity
- What is being tested?
- Family Physical Activity Planning and Family Physical Activity Habit Formation
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 240 participants
- Where
- 1 siteCanada
- Study dates
- 12 Feb 2017to Dec 2025
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 6 to 12 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child
Who may be able to join
- parents with children between the ages of 6 and 12 years
- self-report low family physical activity
- target child is not meeting Canada's Physical Activity guidelines
Who cannot join
- participant is unsafe to participate in physical activity as determined by answers to the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q)
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Canada1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Behavioural Medicine Lab, University of Victoria
Victoria, British Columbia, V8P-5C2
Sandy Courtnall, 250 472 5288, bml@uvic.ca
Ryan Rhodes, PhD
About this study
Official title: Promoting Habit Formation in Family Physical Activity
The purpose of this study is to examine physical activity habit formation in parents and if this can increase moderate to vigorous physical activity behavior in their children over six months. The Primary Research Question is:
Does the habit formation condition result in increased moderate-vigorous intensity physical activity of the child compared to the control (education) and education + planning conditions at six months? Hypothesis: Child physical activity will be higher for the habit formation condition in comparison to the more standard physical activity education and planning conditions at six months.
Read the detailed description
Secondary Research Questions
- Does the habit formation condition improve child health-related quality of life, and health-related fitness outcomes compared to the control and planning conditions at six months? Hypothesis: Child health-related fitness and quality of life will be higher for the habit formation condition in comparison to the control and planning conditions.
- Can group differences among behavioural, and health-related fitness outcomes be explained through a mediation model? Hypothesis: The covariance of the assigned conditions (habit formation, planning + education, education control) on child physical activity will be explained by parental support habit, and through the use of consistency and cues regulation strategies (i.e., manipulation check). In turn, the covariance between support habit and health-related outcomes will be explained by physical activity among conditions. The habit formation condition will not affect parental support intentions or underlying outcome expectations (benefits of physical activity) for support of child physical activity because its effect on behavior is to tie initial intentions to behavioural action or to work independent of goals and intentions.
- Is there an intergenerational, seasonal, or gender difference across primary outcomes by assigned condition? Hypothesis: Parents in the habit formation condition will show higher physical activity via some activities being performed with their children in comparison to the other conditions. No differences in gender or season are hypothesized but these are exploratory research questions because there is limited research at present [28] to make any definitive statement.
- Conditions
- Physical Activity
- Being tested
- Family Physical Activity Planning, Family Physical Activity Habit Formation
- Keywords
- Behavioural, Family physical activity habit
- Medical subject headings
- Motor Activity
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Family Physical Activity PlanningBehavioural
Families will receive the same guidelines as the standard education control group but will also be provided with family physical activity planning material. This material will include a skill training content workbook on how to plan for family physical activity. The material includes a brainstorming exercise for parents where they list physical activities they think their children have found fun in the past, as well as activities that they would find enjoyable to do as a family. We will provide this material as prompts/suggestions. Families will be instructed to plan for "when," "where," "how," and "what" physical activity will be performed \& then track their physical activity. These aspects will be re-introduced and discussed at week 6 and week 12 in booster sessions
Family Physical Activity Habit FormationBehavioural
Families will receive the same content as the education control condition and the physical activity planning condition but with additional material on creating physical activity support habits. A key component of the habit section will be based on planning for context-dependent repetition, with pointers on how to maintain repetition as habit forms. The importance of creating cues for parental support of child physical activity is then outlined. Cues will also be considered factors that a) can precede the support activity but b) not be present very often when the activity is not to be performed. We will suggest that cues that have repeated exposure during times when family physical activity is not present Parents will then be asked to brainstorm and create a plan of consistency and cues with the workbooks provided. These aspects will be re-introduced and discussed at week 6 and week 12 in booster sessions.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Control | No intervention | The control group package will consist of the Canadian 24 Hour Movement Guidelines recommending 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per day for children. The guide also contains arguments \& information about the benefits of physical activity. |
| Family physical activity Planning | Experimental | Behavoural: Family Physical Activity Planning. The physical activity planning intervention condition will receive the same guidelines as the standard education control group but will also be provided with family physical activity planning material. This material will include workbook on how to plan for family physical activity; brainstorming exercises for parents \& children where they list physical activities that they have found fun in the past, as well as some new activities they would like to try \& skill training content to help with goal setting \& tracking of physical activity. Receives: Behavioral: Family Physical Activity Planning |
| Family Physical Activity Habit Formation | Experimental | Behavioural: Family Physical Activity Habit formation. The Habit formation intervention condition will receive the same content as the education control condition and the physical activity planning condition but with additional material on creating physical activity support habits. The material includes a brief discussion of what habits are with some very straightforward examples such as preparing for sleep routines or initiating to drive a car to work. A key component of the habit section will be based on planning for context-dependent repetition, with pointers on how to maintain repetition as habit forms. Receives: Behavioral: Family Physical Activity Habit Formation |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change from baseline in children's physical activity to 6 months
Children's physical activity will be quantified by accelerometry. Children will wear an accelerometer for a minimum of 10 hours per day for 7 days at baseline and 6 months. Additionally this measure will assess intermediate outcomes at 6 weeks and 3 months.
Measured: Baseline & 6 months
Secondary outcomes (14)
Change from baseline in personal physical activity to six months (child PA)
The target child will complete a modified version of the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children (PAQ-C) to assess habitual moderate to vigorous physical activity. The Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire (LSI) will be used to measure parent-reported child physical activity. Questions assess intensity, frequency, and duration of physical activity in an average week. These measures will be assessed at baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months.
Measured: Baseline & 6 months
Change from baseline in self-reported family based physical activity to six months
A modified Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire (LSI) will be used to measure parent reported family physical activity. Questions ask about frequency and duration of structured vs unstructured physical activity performed as a family. Additionally, this measure will assess intermediate outcomes at 6 weeks and 3 months
Measured: Baseline & 6 months
Change from baseline in weight at 6 months
Weight will be measured in kilograms using a scale as per standard anthropometric procedures. Change in weight will be examined from baseline to 6 months (post-intervention). Weight measurement will also contribute to change in BMI.
Measured: baseline and 6 months
Change from baseline in height at 6 months
Height will be measured in centimeters using a stadiometer as per standard anthropometric procedures. Change in height will be examined from baseline to 6 months (post-intervention). Height measurement will also contribute to change in BMI.
Measured: baseline and 6 months
Change from baseline in waist circumference at 6 months
Waist circumference will be measured in centimeters using a tape measuer as per standard anthropometric procedures. Change in waist circumference will be examined from baseline to 6 months (post-intervention).
Measured: baseline and 6 months
Change from baseline in BMI at 6 months
Change in BMI will be examined from baseline to 6 months (post intervention) using height and weight measurements in the following formula: (weight in kg)/(height in meters)^2.
Measured: baseline and 6 months
Change from baseline in grip strength at 6 months (MSK fitness)
Grip strength of the target child will be measured using the Canadian CSEP standardized protocols. Change in grip strength from baseline to 6 months (i.e., post-intervention) will be examined
Measured: baseline and 6 months
Change from baseline in sit and reach flexibility at 6 months
Sit and reach flexibility of the target child will be measured using the Canadian CSEP standardized protocols. Change in sit and reach flexibility from baseline to 6 months (i.e., post-intervention) will be examined
Measured: baseline and 6 months
Change from baseline in plank test time at 6 months
Sit and reach flexibility of the target child will be measured using the Canadian CSEP standardized protocols. Change in plank test time from baseline to 6 months (i.e., post-intervention) will be examined
Measured: baseline and 6 months
Change from baseline in cardiovascular fitness at 6 months
The Leger Shuttle Run will be used to assess cardiovascular fitness for target child. Change in cardiovascular fitness from baseline to 6 months (i.e., post-intervention) will be examined.
Measured: baseline and 6 months
Change from baseline in parent support of child's physical activity at 6 weeks
The Activity Support Scale for Multiple Groups (ACTS-MG) will be used to measure parent support of child PA.
Measured: baseline and 6 weeks
Change from baseline in parent support of child's physical activity at 3 months
The Activity Support Scale for Multiple Groups (ACTS-MG) will be used to measure parent support of child PA.
Measured: baseline and 3 months
Change from baseline in parent support of child's physical activity at 6 months
The Activity Support Scale for Multiple Groups (ACTS-MG) will be used to measure parent support of child PA.
Measured: baseline and 6 months
Change from baseline in parent support habits of child physical activity at 6 months (a)
Self report habit strength index will be used to measure parental support habit for child Physical Activity. This tool measures habit strength and automaticity at baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months.
Measured: baseline and 6 months
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted9 May 2017
- Study start12 Feb 2017
- Primary completionSep 2025 (estimated)
- Study completionDec 2025 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Physical ActivityStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Investigator
- Enrolment
- 240 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Victoria
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, University of British Columbia, Dalhousie University, University of Alberta, King's College London
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Ryan Rhodes, University of Victoria
- Investigators
- Ryan Rhodes, PhD, Principal investigator, University of VictoriaChris Blanshard, PhD, Study chair, Dalhousie UniversityValerie Carson, PhD, Study chair, University of AlbertaBenjamin Gardner, PhD, Study chair, King's College LondonDarren Warburton, PhD, Study chair, University of British ColumbiaMark Beauchamp, PhD, Study chair, University of British Columbia
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03145688
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 35941 51350
- Status last verified
- Mar 2025
- First submitted
- 27 Jan 2017
- Last updated
- 1 Apr 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Publications
Medd ER, Beauchamp MR, Blanchard CM, Carson V, Gardner B, Warburton DE, Rhodes RE. Family-based habit intervention to promote parent support for child physical activity in Canada: protocol for a randomised trial. BMJ Open. 2020 Apr 14;10(4):e033732. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-033732.
PubMed 32295773
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 1 Apr 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Promoting Habit Formation in Family Physical Activity
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03145688
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 35941 51350
- Conditions
- Physical Activity
- Keywords
- Behavioural, Family physical activity habit
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 240 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- University of VictoriaUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, University of British Columbia, Dalhousie University, University of Alberta, King's College London
- Study start
- 12 Feb 2017 (actual)
- Primary completion
- Sep 2025 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Dec 2025 (estimated)
- First posted
- 9 May 2017 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The purpose of this study is to examine physical activity habit formation in parents and if this can increase moderate to vigorous physical activity behavior in their children over six months. The Primary Research Question is:
Does the habit formation condition result in increased moderate-vigorous intensity physical activity of the child compared to the control (education) and education + planning conditions at six months? Hypothesis: Child physical activity will be higher for the habit formation condition in comparison to the more standard physical activity education and planning conditions at six months.
Detailed description
Secondary Research Questions
- Does the habit formation condition improve child health-related quality of life, and health-related fitness outcomes compared to the control and planning conditions at six months? Hypothesis: Child health-related fitness and quality of life will be higher for the habit formation condition in comparison to the control and planning conditions.
- Can group differences among behavioural, and health-related fitness outcomes be explained through a mediation model? Hypothesis: The covariance of the assigned conditions (habit formation, planning + education, education control) on child physical activity will be explained by parental support habit, and through the use of consistency and cues regulation strategies (i.e., manipulation check). In turn, the covariance between support habit and health-related outcomes will be explained by physical activity among conditions. The habit formation condition will not affect parental support intentions or underlying outcome expectations (benefits of physical activity) for support of child physical activity because its effect on behavior is to tie initial intentions to behavioural action or to work independent of goals and intentions.
- Is there an intergenerational, seasonal, or gender difference across primary outcomes by assigned condition? Hypothesis: Parents in the habit formation condition will show higher physical activity via some activities being performed with their children in comparison to the other conditions. No differences in gender or season are hypothesized but these are exploratory research questions because there is limited research at present [28] to make any definitive statement.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (investigator)
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Control | No intervention | –The control group package will consist of the Canadian 24 Hour Movement Guidelines recommending 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per day for children. The guide also contains arguments \& information about the benefits of physical activity. |
| Family physical activity Planning | Experimental | Behavioral: Family Physical Activity PlanningBehavoural: Family Physical Activity Planning. The physical activity planning intervention condition will receive the same guidelines as the standard education control group but will also be provided with family physical activity planning material. This material will include workbook on how to plan for family physical activity; brainstorming exercises for parents \& children where they list physical activities that they have found fun in the past, as well as some new activities they would like to try \& skill training content to help with goal setting \& tracking of physical activity. |
| Family Physical Activity Habit Formation | Experimental | Behavioral: Family Physical Activity Habit FormationBehavioural: Family Physical Activity Habit formation. The Habit formation intervention condition will receive the same content as the education control condition and the physical activity planning condition but with additional material on creating physical activity support habits. The material includes a brief discussion of what habits are with some very straightforward examples such as preparing for sleep routines or initiating to drive a car to work. A key component of the habit section will be based on planning for context-dependent repetition, with pointers on how to maintain repetition as habit forms. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 6 to 12 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Child
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- parents with children between the ages of 6 and 12 years
- self-report low family physical activity
- target child is not meeting Canada's Physical Activity guidelines
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- participant is unsafe to participate in physical activity as determined by answers to the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q)
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Family Physical Activity PlanningFamilies will receive the same guidelines as the standard education control group but will also be provided with family physical activity planning material. This material will include a skill training content workbook on how to plan for family physical activity. The material includes a brainstorming exercise for parents where they list physical activities they think their children have found fun in the past, as well as activities that they would find enjoyable to do as a family. We will provide this material as prompts/suggestions. Families will be instructed to plan for "when," "where," "how," and "what" physical activity will be performed \& then track their physical activity. These aspects will be re-introduced and discussed at week 6 and week 12 in booster sessions | Behavioural | Family physical activity Planning |
| Family Physical Activity Habit FormationFamilies will receive the same content as the education control condition and the physical activity planning condition but with additional material on creating physical activity support habits. A key component of the habit section will be based on planning for context-dependent repetition, with pointers on how to maintain repetition as habit forms. The importance of creating cues for parental support of child physical activity is then outlined. Cues will also be considered factors that a) can precede the support activity but b) not be present very often when the activity is not to be performed. We will suggest that cues that have repeated exposure during times when family physical activity is not present Parents will then be asked to brainstorm and create a plan of consistency and cues with the workbooks provided. These aspects will be re-introduced and discussed at week 6 and week 12 in booster sessions. | Behavioural | Family Physical Activity Habit Formation |
Primary outcome
Change from baseline in children's physical activity to 6 months
Time frame: Baseline & 6 months
Children's physical activity will be quantified by accelerometry. Children will wear an accelerometer for a minimum of 10 hours per day for 7 days at baseline and 6 months. Additionally this measure will assess intermediate outcomes at 6 weeks and 3 months.
14 secondary outcomes
Change from baseline in personal physical activity to six months (child PA)
Time frame: Baseline & 6 months
Change from baseline in self-reported family based physical activity to six months
Time frame: Baseline & 6 months
Change from baseline in weight at 6 months
Time frame: baseline and 6 months
Change from baseline in height at 6 months
Time frame: baseline and 6 months
Change from baseline in waist circumference at 6 months
Time frame: baseline and 6 months
Change from baseline in BMI at 6 months
Time frame: baseline and 6 months
Change from baseline in grip strength at 6 months (MSK fitness)
Time frame: baseline and 6 months
Change from baseline in sit and reach flexibility at 6 months
Time frame: baseline and 6 months
Change from baseline in plank test time at 6 months
Time frame: baseline and 6 months
Change from baseline in cardiovascular fitness at 6 months
Time frame: baseline and 6 months
Change from baseline in parent support of child's physical activity at 6 weeks
Time frame: baseline and 6 weeks
Change from baseline in parent support of child's physical activity at 3 months
Time frame: baseline and 3 months
Change from baseline in parent support of child's physical activity at 6 months
Time frame: baseline and 6 months
Change from baseline in parent support habits of child physical activity at 6 months (a)
Time frame: baseline and 6 months
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 1 Apr 2025.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 32295773Medd ER, Beauchamp MR, Blanchard CM, Carson V, Gardner B, Warburton DE, Rhodes RE. Family-based habit intervention to promote parent support for child physical activity in Canada: protocol for a randomised trial. BMJ Open. 2020 Apr 14;10(4):e033732. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-033732.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Ryan Rhodes, PhD principal investigator
University of Victoria
Chris Blanshard, PhD study chair
Dalhousie University
Valerie Carson, PhD study chair
University of Alberta
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Family Physical Activity Planning and Family Physical Activity Habit Formation in people with Physical Activity, run by University of Victoria at 1 site in Canada.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 1 Apr 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Canada. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Each site lists its own contact: choose the nearest one under Trial locations. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change from baseline in children's physical activity to 6 months (time frame: Baseline & 6 months). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT03145688, which also lists 1 linked publication.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 1 Apr 2025.