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Completed

NCT Number: NCT01342471

Physical Activity and Leisure-time Study (PALS)

Physical inactivity is a major public health problem and a primary contributing factor to the obesity epidemic. While most Americans do not meet the physical activity (PA) guidelines (30 min/day, 5 day/wk), they do report watching several hours of TV each day, and frequently site "lack of time" as a barrier for engaging in PA. The Physical Activity and Leisure-time Study examines an approach convert sedentary TV watching into active TV watching time by having adults step in place during commercials (TV commercial stepping).

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Key information

Conditions

Physical Activity Behavior Body Weight Motor Activity Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Sedentary Behavior Signs and Symptoms Weight

Age range

25 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 1

Primary location

HPER Building, 1914 Andy Holt Ave.

Knoxville, Tennessee, 37920, United States

About this study

This randomized controlled trial will examine the effects of a PA prescription of TV commercial stepping for at least 90 min/day of TV programming, with that of walking at least 30 min/day (30 min walk) on daily step counts, TV viewing, and diet during a 24 week PA intervention. Sedentary, overweight or obese, adults will be randomly assigned to either the TV commercial stepping, or 30 min walk group during a 24-week behavioral PA intervention. Both groups will attend 8 sessions, but receive different PA goals. PA, TV watching time, diet, and anthropometric data will be collected at 0, 12, and 24 weeks. It is hypothesized that the TV commercial stepping condition will, show an equal increase in PA at 12 and 24 weeks as compared to the 30-min walk condition. Neither group is hypothesized to demonstrate changes in TV viewing time, dietary intake, or weight.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • 25 to 65 years of age
  • BMI between 25 and 45 kg/m2
  • watch ≥14 hours per week of TV
  • ability to follow instructions and record data
  • ability to walk 1/4 mile without stopping

Exclusion criteria

  • history of myocardial infraction, angina, stroke, heart failure, or uncontrolled cardiac arrhythmias
  • a resting blood pressure greater than 180 mm Hg systolic and/or 100 mm Hg diastolic
  • other physical or medical limitations for engaging in physical activity
  • no television in the home
  • baseline physical activity level exceeding 7,499 steps per day as determined by the Omron pedometer
  • currently participating in a program to increase PA
  • intended to move outside the East Tennessee area within the time frame of the intervention
  • were pregnant, lactating, less than 6 months post-partum, or planned to become pregnant during the time frame of the intervention
  • unwilling to attend group intervention meetings, assessments or to complete an activity diary for the duration of the study.

Treatment and study plan

TV commercial stepping

Behavioral

Participants were instructed to stand and "briskly" step in place, or "briskly" walk continuously around the room/house for the duration of each commercial break during at least 90 min of TV programming on at least 5 days/week. Both conditions will receive an ankle mounted Omron pedometer, so they were able to track their steps each day. Participants were not given instructions concerning diet modification or modifying TV viewing time during a 6 month behavioral physical activity intervention

Other names: novel exercise prescription

30-min walk

Behavioral

Participants were instructed to use "brisk" walking (at least 30 min/day in bouts of at least 10 min) at least 5 days/week. Both conditions will receive an ankle mounted Omron pedometer, so they were able to track their steps each day. Participants were not given instructions concerning diet modification or modifying TV viewing time during a 6 month behavioral physical activity intervention

Other names: standard physical activity prescription

Primary outcomes

  1. Physical Activity (Steps/Day)

    Time frame: 0 and 6 months

    Change in pedometer measured steps per day between 0 and 6 months

Secondary outcomes

  1. Total Energy Intake

    Time frame: 0 and 6 months

    Change in total energy intake(kcals/day) between 0 and 6 months

  2. TV Related Energy Intake

    Time frame: 0 and 6 months

    Change in energy intake (kcals/day) while watching TV between 0 and 6 months

  3. Weight

    Time frame: 0 and 6 months

    Change in weight in kgs between 0 and 6 months

  4. TV Viewing Time

    Time frame: 0 and 6 months

    Change in self-reported TV viewing time per day between 0 and 6 months

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Tennessee

Other

Registry information

Official study title

TV Commercial Stepping: Can America's Top Sedentary Activity be Made More Active

Acronym: PALS

Important dates

Study start
2010
Primary completion
2011
Study completion
2011
First posted
Apr 27, 2011
Registry last updated
Nov 9, 2012

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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