One small step for man, one giant leap for men’s health: a meta-analysis of behaviour change interventions to increase men’s physical activity

Abstract

ObjectiveTo determine the effects of behaviour change interventions on men’s physical activity (postintervention), sustained change in physical activity behaviour (≥12 months postintervention) and to identify variations in effects due to potential moderating variables (eg, theoretical underpinning, gender-tailored, contact frequency).DesignSystematic review with meta-analysis. Pooled effect size (Cohen’s d) was calculated assuming a random-effects model. Homogeneity and subsequent exploratory moderator analyses were assessed using Q, T2 and I2.Data sourcesMedline, EMBASE, CINAHL, SportDiscus and Web of Science to April 2019.Eligibility criteria for selected studiesRandomised control trials of behaviour change interventions in men (≥18 years) where physical activity was an outcome and data were from men-only studies or disaggregated by sex.ResultsTwenty-six articles described 24 eligible studies. The overall mean intervention effect on men’s physical activity was 0.35 (SE=0.05; 95% CI 0.26 to 0.45; p<0.001). This effect size is consistent with an increase of approximately 97 min of total physical activity per week or 980 steps per day. Intervention moderators associated with greater increases in physical activity included objective physical activity outcome measures, a gender-tailored design, use of a theoretical framework, shorter length programmes (≤12 weeks), using four or more types of behaviour change techniques and frequent contact with participants (≥1 contact per week). 12 studies included additional follow-up assessments (≥12 months postintervention) and the overall mean effect was 0.32 (SE=0.09; 95% CI 0.15 to 0.48; p<0.001) for that sustained increase in physical activity.SummaryBehaviour change interventions targeting men’s physical activity can be effective. Moderator analyses are preliminary and suggest research directions.

Female partner experiences of prostate cancer patients’ engagement with a community-based football intervention: a qualitative study

“…The results also con rm previous qualitative work describing how men with prostate cancer who take part in a football intervention appreciate being able to share new stories from training and the value adding aspects for their husband and father operating predominately in the domestic sphere [22,25]. Moreover, the results con rm the ndings of a recent meta-synthesis of various exercise interventions and their effect on male perception of masculinity, body image, and personal identity, which concluded that exercise can facilitate a process of self-re ection secondary to changes in physique and help to re-establish male self-e cacy [26,27] .…”

Men’s Physical Activity and Sleep Following a Workplace Health Intervention: Findings from the POWERPLAY STEP Up challenge

“…For example, increases in physical activity we observed may be linked to use of the Garmin device (i.e., self-monitoring), or the motivational messages, and the support and encouragement within and between participating workplace groups should not be ignored. A recent meta-analysis indicated that interventions with more behavior change techniques and gender-sensitive designs were associated with greater increases in physical activity among men, and among 12 studies that included follow-up assessments 12 or more months post-intervention, there was evidence that physical activity increases were sustained (Sharp et al, 2020). The baseline level of MVPA was also relatively high, which may have limited the ability of participants to further increase activity.…”

“…Within male-dominated workplaces there are often normative frames related to physical work (e.g., heavy lifting and working with hand-held tools) (Lewis, 2013) and doing overtime (i.e., feelings of pressure or obligation to work long hours) (Bunjo et al, 2020); the net effect of such cultures is that other forms of physical activity and sleep are compromised (Seaton et al, 2018; Soprovich et al, In review). Few workplace programs take into consideration masculine norms or incorporate men’s preferences or interests; yet, growing evidence suggests that programs designed using a gender-tailored approach are effective for reaching men (Bottorff et al, 2015; Sayers et al, 2019; Sharp et al, 2020). In particular, it has been argued that leveraging positive and strength-based aspects of masculinity (e.g., male relational styles, use of humor, group orientation of men) may increase men’s specific engagement with health promotion (Kiselica & Englar-Carlson, 2010; Seidler et al, 2018).…”

“…Informed by formative research (Bottorff et al, 2015; Oliffe et al, 2017), the STEP Up challenge was designed to engage potential male end-users via strategies of friendly competition, humor, self-monitoring, and positive and action-oriented messaging while taking into account the specific workplace characteristics. These attributes have been previously effective in male populations in systematic reviews of physical activity interventions (Bottorff et al, 2015; Sharp et al, 2020). In a pilot study, the STEP module focused on self-monitoring and challenges to increase moderate and vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and the STEP Up challenge improved physical activity among men working at a regional municipality, a shipping terminal, and two trucking companies (Johnson et al, 2016).…”

Process evaluation of HAT TRICK: feasibility, acceptability and opportunities for programme refinement

“…For example, the success of lifestyle interventions offered in collaboration with professional sports clubs/teams to engage men in lifestyle changes have been linked to the masculine values and virtues entrenched in the physical and sociocultural environments that surround popular male sports [6][7][8]. There is also a growing body of evidence that tailoring of the content and delivery of lifestyle interventions to reflect men's preferences and needs also increases the engagement with and effectiveness of programs offered to men [9]. Although these are promising developments in this nascent field, further development and evaluation of these approaches to men's lifestyle interventions are needed to ensure their fit for implementation in new contexts and with diverse groups of men.…”