An overview of “The Active by Choice Today” (ACT) trial for increasing physical activity

Abstract

Background: Although school-based behavioral interventions for increasing physical activity (PA) in children and adolescents have been conducted, little evidence suggests that these curriculum-based approaches lead to increases in overall activity outside of program days. The overall goal of the "Active by Choice Today" (ACT) trial is to expand the body of knowledge concerning the factors that influence long-term increases in PA in underserved adolescents (low socioeconmic status, minorities) during their middle school years. Design and setting:An overview of the ACT study design, theoretical framework, process evaluation, and primary hypotheses is presented. The trial involves twenty-four middle schools (1560 6th graders) in South Carolina that are randomly assigned to one of two after-school programs (motivational and life skills intervention, or general health education). Intervention:The intervention integrates constructs from Self-Determination and Social Cognitive Theories to enhance intrinsic motivation and behavioral skills for PA. The intervention targets skill development for PA outside of program days and the after-school program social environment Publisher's Disclaimer: This article was published in an Elsevier journal. The attached copy is furnished to the author for non-commercial research and education use, including for instruction at the author's institution, sharing with colleagues and providing to institution administration. Other uses, including reproduction and distribution, or selling or licensing copies, or posting to personal, institutional or third party websites are prohibited. (autonomy, choice, participation, belongingness, fun, enjoyment, support) is designed to positively impact cognitive mediators (self-efficacy, perceived competence), and motivational orientation (intrinsic motivation, commitment, positive self-concept). NIH Public Access Main hypotheses/outcomes:It is hypothesized that the 17-week motivational and life skills intervention will lead to greater increases in moderate-to-vigorous PA (based on 7-day accelerometry estimates) at post-intervention as compared to the general health education program. Conclusions:Implications of this innovative school-based trial are discussed.

A Longitudinal Study of the Effects of Instrumental and Emotional Social Support on Physical Activity in Underserved Adolescents in the ACT Trial

“…The ACT program was a randomized controlled school-based trial testing the efficacy of a motivational plus behavioral skills intervention on increasing MVPA in underserved adolescents (38, 39). Prior to randomization to either the ACT intervention program or General Health Education program (comparison group), participating middle schools in South Carolina ( N = 24) were matched on school size, percentage minorities, percentage free or reduced lunch, and urban or rural setting.…”

“…Thus, schools in each condition were collapsed in the present study, which presents data collected at baseline and at 2 weeks post-intervention (i.e., at the 19-month measurement time point). Further information about the ACT trial has been previously published, including a CONSORT diagram (38, 39). …”

“…The purpose of the current study was to examine the relative influence of social supports provided by family and peers on accelerometer-assessed PA. Specifically, cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between family instrumental, family emotional, and peer emotional social support with MVPA were examined in underserved adolescents as a secondary analysis of the Active by Choice Today (ACT) trial (38, 39). Given that peers have been shown to be an important source of support for PA in adolescents, it was hypothesized that peer but not family emotional support would be associated with PA at baseline.…”

A Preliminary Test of a Motivational and Parenting Weight Loss Program Targeting Low-Income and Minority Adolescents

“…the motivation for healthy eating scale demonstrated a Cronbach alpha of 0.91, and has demonstrated validity in previous studies. 14,15,26 Parenting Dimensions Inventory (PDI). Parents completed the PDi-s, which is a self-administered parenting instrument that consists of 27 items that assess 11 parenting style dimensions and is the short version of the PDi.…”

Enhancing the Translation of Physical Activity Interventions in Afterschool Programs

“…29,51 The 17-week program focused on developing strategies for children to use to be physically active outside the program, specifically in the home environment. The primary outcome, MVPA, was measured via accelerometry.…”