Physical ActivityNCT05794789
"We Are an Active Family": Promoting Child Physical Activity Through Social Identity Formation in the Family System
A study testing Social Identity in people with Physical Activity and Social Identity, run by University of Victoria at 2 sites in Canada.
Trial summary
The purpose of our study is to explore the effectiveness of physical activity (PA) identity formation in the family system as a promotor of long-term PA. The primary research question is: Does a family identity formation condition (with education+planning) result in increased child moderate- to vigorous-intensity PA… 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, Social Identity
- What is being tested?
- Social Identity
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 148 participants
- Where
- 2 sitesCanada
- Study dates
- 10 Aug 2023to 31 Mar 2026
- 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
- Participants will be at least one parent with at least one child between the ages of 6 and 12 years.
- Families (parents and/or guardians and children) residing in Greater Victoria, Nanaimo, Ladysmith, Duncan, Vancouver, Richmond, Surrey, Burnaby, British Columbia.
- Children that participate in <60 minutes/day of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA)
Who cannot join
- If child is meeting the current physical activity guidelines >=60 minutes a day of moderate to vigorous physical activity per day.
- If participant does not pass Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PARQ)
Trial locations and contacts
2 sites in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Sandy Courtnall contact
Canada2 sites, 2 recruiting
- Not yet recruiting
Psychology of Exercise, Health, and Physical Activity (PEHPA) Laboratory, University of British Columbia
Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z1
Mark Beauchamp, PhD, 001 (604) 822 9140, mark.beauchamp@ubc.ca
- Recruiting
Behavioural Medicine Lab, University of Victoria
Victoria, British Columbia, V8P-5C2
Evie Streight, 250 472 5288, bml@uvic.ca
Ryan Rhodes, PhD
About this study
The purpose of our study is to explore the effectiveness of physical activity (PA) identity formation in the family system as a promotor of long-term PA. The primary research question is:
Does a family identity formation condition (with education+planning) result in increased child moderate- to vigorous-intensity PA (MVPA) compared to a standard comparison education and planning condition at six months? Hypothesis: Child MVPA will be higher for the identity formation condition in comparison to the more standard PA education+planning condition at six months.
Read the detailed description
The secondary research questions will include:
- Does the identity formation condition improve child health-related fitness outcomes compared to the education and planning condition at six months? Hypothesis: Child health-related fitness will be higher for the identity formation condition in comparison to the education and planning condition.
- Can group differences among behavioural, and health-related fitness outcomes be explained through a mediation model? Hypothesis: The covariance of the assigned conditions (identity formation, planning + education) on child MVPA will be explained by parental support, and through parental support identity (i.e., manipulation check). In turn, the covariance between support and health-related outcomes will be explained by MVPA among conditions. In the case of null outcomes for research question #1, the investigators will instead explore a prediction model of these variables rather than a mediation model.
- Is there an intergenerational, seasonal, or sex difference across primary outcomes by assigned condition? Hypothesis: Parents in the identity formation condition will show higher physical activity via some activities being performed with their children (as part of social identity) in comparison to the other condition. No differences in child sex or season are hypothesized based on past research.
- Conditions
- Physical Activity, Social Identity
- Being tested
- Social Identity
- Keywords
- Moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), Childhood obesity, Type 2 Diabetes, Identity formation
- Medical subject headings
- Motor Activity, Social Identification, Pediatric Obesity, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Social IdentityBehavioural
This group will receive the same content as the education+planning as well as two additional sessions. This includes short overviews of the benefits of PA as a family, brainstorming how a family can each assist each other in PA, and an activity for developing a family PA action plan. Behavior change techniques such as identity salience, identity similarity, and identity fit and contrast are included in the coaching session include. This will be supplemented by an organization of fun family PA roles for all members (e.g., activity planner, goal setter, supporter, etc.) to instill involvement as well as items (creation of a family PA t-shirt, family PA photos and display, etc.) to instill distinctiveness, which is a central feature of a social identity. Worksheets and discussion will be included. The second session will involve only the parent(s) to focus on parental support identity and the content is based on the behavior change principles of self-identity theory.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| PA education and planning condition | No intervention | This group will receive sessions and information-based booklet and series of worksheets that provide a tangible knowledge translation product for the family. The material will consist of Canada's PA guidelines recommending 60 minutes of MVPA a day and a breakdown of ways for the parent to help their child achieve this PA, outlining three main domains of parental support (encouragement, logistical support, and PA together). The material also contains information about the benefits of PA for the child and how to plan for family PA. The material specifically includes a brainstorming exercise for parents where they list physical activities they think their children have found fun in the past. The investigators will provide this material as prompts/suggestions. This list helps create the template for PA planning by contextualizing what the parents would like to do with their kids. An additional two sessions will include education and planning material related to family healthy eating. |
| Identity formation condition | Experimental | This group will receive the same content as the education+planning comparison condition but with two additional coaching sessions. The session will include short overviews of the benefits of PA as a family, brainstorming how a family can each assist each other in PA, and an activity for developing a family PA action plan. Behavior change techniques that align with these approaches and are included in the coaching session include identity salience, identity similarity, as well as identity fit and contrast. This will be supplemented by an organization of fun family PA roles for all members (e.g., activity planner, goal setter, supporter, etc.) to instill involvement as well as items (creation of a family PA t-shirt, family PA photos and display, etc.) to instill distinctiveness, which is a central feature of a social identity. Receives: Behavioral: Social Identity |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change from baseline in children's moderate to vigorous physical activity to 6 months
Children's physical activity will be quantified by accelerometry. Children will wear an accelerometer for a minimum of 6 hours per day for 7 days at baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months.
Measured: Baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months
Secondary outcomes (16)
Parent-child intergenerational activity via seven-day accelerometry
Accelerometer model has a Bluetooth proximity detection feature that can determine the presence (e.g., same room in a house, at the park together) or absence of close proximity between two accelerometers. The outcome variable will be average minutes per day parents and children were both engaging in physical activity at the same time while in close proximity.
Measured: Baseline - 6 months
Parent-child intergenerational activity measured via parent self-report
For self-reported PA, the the Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire will be used.
Measured: Baseline - 6 months
Body Composition - Weight
Weight (kg)
Measured: Baseline - 6 months
Body Composition - Height
Height (cm)
Measured: Baseline - 6 months
Body Composition - Waist Circumference
Waist circumference (cm)
Measured: Baseline - 6 months
Body Composition - Percentage Body Fat
Percentage body fat will be measured using a bioelectric impedance scale
Measured: Baseline - 6 months
Cardiovascular Fitness (ie: predicted maximal aerobic power)
Will be assessed during a submaximal exercise test called the mCAFT Step Test
Measured: Baseline - 6 months
Musculoskeletal Fitness
Measured using grip strength
Measured: Baseline - 6 months
Musculoskeletal Endurance
Measured doing curl ups and push ups
Measured: Baseline - 6 months
Musculoskeletal Power
Measured doing vertical jump test
Measured: Baseline - 6 months
Musculoskeletal Flexibility
Measured doing sit and reach test
Measured: Baseline - 6 months
The Multi-Process Action Control (MPAC) Constructs - Instrumental Attitude
Measured by standardized measurement scale - 1-7 Likert-type scale (strongly disagree to strongly agree)
Measured: Baseline - 6 months
The Multi-Process Action Control (MPAC) Constructs - Affective Judgements
Measured by standardized measurement scale - 1-7 Likert-type scale (strongly disagree to strongly agree)
Measured: Baseline - 6 months
The Multi-Process Action Control (MPAC) Constructs - Perceived Capability
Measured by standardized measurement scale - 1-7 Likert-type scale (strongly disagree to strongly agree)
Measured: Baseline - 6 months
The Multi-Process Action Control (MPAC) Constructs - Perceived Opportunity
Measured by standardized measurement scale - 1-7 Likert-type scale (strongly disagree to strongly agree)
Measured: Baseline - 6 months
Social Identity
Measured by standardized measurement scale - 1-7 Likert-type scale (strongly disagree to strongly agree)
Measured: Baseline - 6 months
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted3 Apr 2023
- Study start10 Aug 2023
- Primary completion31 Mar 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion31 Mar 2026 (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
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 148 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Victoria
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Diabetes Canada
- 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 AlbertaKurt Smith, PhD, Study chair, University of VictoriaMark Beauchamp, PhD, Study chair, University of British ColumbiaShaelyn Strachan, PhD, Study chair, University of ManitobaLeigh Vanderloo, PhD, Study chair, ParticipACTION
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05794789
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 23-0022
- Status last verified
- Mar 2025
- First submitted
- 2 Mar 2023
- Last updated
- 3 Apr 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided
Publications
Streight E, Beauchamp MR, Smith KJ, Blanchard CM, Carson V, Strachan SM, Vanderloo LM, Courtnall S, Rhodes RE. "We are an active family": a randomized trial protocol to evaluate a family-system social identity intervention to promote child physical activity. BMC Public Health. 2024 Sep 27;24(1):2605. doi: 10.1186/s12889-024-20024-8.
PubMed 39333930
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 3 Apr 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- "We Are an Active Family": Promoting Child Physical Activity Through Social Identity Formation in the Family System
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05794789
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 23-0022
- Conditions
- Physical Activity, Social Identity
- Keywords
- Moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), Childhood obesity, Type 2 Diabetes, Identity formation
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 148 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- University of VictoriaUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Diabetes Canada
- Study start
- 10 Aug 2023 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 31 Mar 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 31 Mar 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 3 Apr 2023 (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 our study is to explore the effectiveness of physical activity (PA) identity formation in the family system as a promotor of long-term PA. The primary research question is:
Does a family identity formation condition (with education+planning) result in increased child moderate- to vigorous-intensity PA (MVPA) compared to a standard comparison education and planning condition at six months? Hypothesis: Child MVPA will be higher for the identity formation condition in comparison to the more standard PA education+planning condition at six months.
Detailed description
The secondary research questions will include:
- Does the identity formation condition improve child health-related fitness outcomes compared to the education and planning condition at six months? Hypothesis: Child health-related fitness will be higher for the identity formation condition in comparison to the education and planning condition.
- Can group differences among behavioural, and health-related fitness outcomes be explained through a mediation model? Hypothesis: The covariance of the assigned conditions (identity formation, planning + education) on child MVPA will be explained by parental support, and through parental support identity (i.e., manipulation check). In turn, the covariance between support and health-related outcomes will be explained by MVPA among conditions. In the case of null outcomes for research question #1, the investigators will instead explore a prediction model of these variables rather than a mediation model.
- Is there an intergenerational, seasonal, or sex difference across primary outcomes by assigned condition? Hypothesis: Parents in the identity formation condition will show higher physical activity via some activities being performed with their children (as part of social identity) in comparison to the other condition. No differences in child sex or season are hypothesized based on past research.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| PA education and planning condition | No intervention | –This group will receive sessions and information-based booklet and series of worksheets that provide a tangible knowledge translation product for the family. The material will consist of Canada's PA guidelines recommending 60 minutes of MVPA a day and a breakdown of ways for the parent to help their child achieve this PA, outlining three main domains of parental support (encouragement, logistical support, and PA together). The material also contains information about the benefits of PA for the child and how to plan for family PA. The material specifically includes a brainstorming exercise for parents where they list physical activities they think their children have found fun in the past. The investigators will provide this material as prompts/suggestions. This list helps create the template for PA planning by contextualizing what the parents would like to do with their kids. An additional two sessions will include education and planning material related to family healthy eating. |
| Identity formation condition | Experimental | Behavioral: Social IdentityThis group will receive the same content as the education+planning comparison condition but with two additional coaching sessions. The session will include short overviews of the benefits of PA as a family, brainstorming how a family can each assist each other in PA, and an activity for developing a family PA action plan. Behavior change techniques that align with these approaches and are included in the coaching session include identity salience, identity similarity, as well as identity fit and contrast. This will be supplemented by an organization of fun family PA roles for all members (e.g., activity planner, goal setter, supporter, etc.) to instill involvement as well as items (creation of a family PA t-shirt, family PA photos and display, etc.) to instill distinctiveness, which is a central feature of a social identity. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 6 to 12 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Child
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Participants will be at least one parent with at least one child between the ages of 6 and 12 years.
- Families (parents and/or guardians and children) residing in Greater Victoria, Nanaimo, Ladysmith, Duncan, Vancouver, Richmond, Surrey, Burnaby, British Columbia.
- Children that participate in <60 minutes/day of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA)
Key exclusion criteria (2 listed)
- If child is meeting the current physical activity guidelines >=60 minutes a day of moderate to vigorous physical activity per day.
- If participant does not pass Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PARQ)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Social IdentityThis group will receive the same content as the education+planning as well as two additional sessions. This includes short overviews of the benefits of PA as a family, brainstorming how a family can each assist each other in PA, and an activity for developing a family PA action plan. Behavior change techniques such as identity salience, identity similarity, and identity fit and contrast are included in the coaching session include. This will be supplemented by an organization of fun family PA roles for all members (e.g., activity planner, goal setter, supporter, etc.) to instill involvement as well as items (creation of a family PA t-shirt, family PA photos and display, etc.) to instill distinctiveness, which is a central feature of a social identity. Worksheets and discussion will be included. The second session will involve only the parent(s) to focus on parental support identity and the content is based on the behavior change principles of self-identity theory. | Behavioural | Identity formation condition |
Primary outcome
Change from baseline in children's moderate to vigorous physical activity to 6 months
Time frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months
Children's physical activity will be quantified by accelerometry. Children will wear an accelerometer for a minimum of 6 hours per day for 7 days at baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months.
16 secondary outcomes
Parent-child intergenerational activity via seven-day accelerometry
Time frame: Baseline - 6 months
Parent-child intergenerational activity measured via parent self-report
Time frame: Baseline - 6 months
Body Composition - Weight
Time frame: Baseline - 6 months
Body Composition - Height
Time frame: Baseline - 6 months
Body Composition - Waist Circumference
Time frame: Baseline - 6 months
Body Composition - Percentage Body Fat
Time frame: Baseline - 6 months
Cardiovascular Fitness (ie: predicted maximal aerobic power)
Time frame: Baseline - 6 months
Musculoskeletal Fitness
Time frame: Baseline - 6 months
Musculoskeletal Endurance
Time frame: Baseline - 6 months
Musculoskeletal Power
Time frame: Baseline - 6 months
Musculoskeletal Flexibility
Time frame: Baseline - 6 months
The Multi-Process Action Control (MPAC) Constructs - Instrumental Attitude
Time frame: Baseline - 6 months
The Multi-Process Action Control (MPAC) Constructs - Affective Judgements
Time frame: Baseline - 6 months
The Multi-Process Action Control (MPAC) Constructs - Perceived Capability
Time frame: Baseline - 6 months
The Multi-Process Action Control (MPAC) Constructs - Perceived Opportunity
Time frame: Baseline - 6 months
Social Identity
Time frame: Baseline - 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 3 Apr 2025.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 39333930Streight E, Beauchamp MR, Smith KJ, Blanchard CM, Carson V, Strachan SM, Vanderloo LM, Courtnall S, Rhodes RE. "We are an active family": a randomized trial protocol to evaluate a family-system social identity intervention to promote child physical activity. BMC Public Health. 2024 Sep 27;24(1):2605. doi: 10.1186/s12889-024-20024-8.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided
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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.
Sandy Courtnall contact
Ryan Rhodes, PhD principal investigator
University of Victoria
Chris Blanshard, PhD study chair
Dalhousie University
Valerie Carson, PhD study chair
University of Alberta
2 sites in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Social Identity in people with Physical Activity and Social Identity, run by University of Victoria at 2 sites 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 2 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 3 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 2 sites 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?
Contact Evie Streight, MSc. (250 472 5288, bml@uvic.ca), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change from baseline in children's moderate to vigorous physical activity to 6 months (time frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 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 NCT05794789, 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 3 Apr 2025.