Men on the Move: an investigation of a community-based physical activity programme for adult men

ISRCTN ISRCTN55654777
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN55654777
Secondary identifying numbers N/A
Submission date
13/11/2015
Registration date
25/11/2015
Last edited
14/04/2021
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Other
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English Summary

Background and study aims
Men in Ireland die younger and have higher death rates than women for most of the leading causes of death at all ages. Physical activity could help prevent many of the chronic conditions affecting men. Physical activity levels in men reduce with age, which is paralleled by an increasing levels of obesity. Supporting men to modify their health behaviors poses unique challenges to service providers. Men on the Move is a physical activity programme that is aimed at adult men to support them to become active, have fun and improve their fitness levels. It involves twice weekly structured physical activity sessions over 12 weeks that are led by a qualified instructor to a level and pace that suits you. Workshops on nutrition and well-being for men will also be delivered during the 12-week programme. The aim of this study is to determine whether the Men on the Move programme improves the physical fitness, weight and general health and lives of the men who attend.

Who can participate?
Men who are not meeting the national guideline levels of physical activity

What does the study involve?
Participants in the intervention group attend the the 12-week Men on the Move programme. Participants in the comparison group receive a free health check and an information booklet. As part of the evaluation we ask participants questions about their health and measure their height, weight, waist circumference, BMI and fitness at the start and the end of the programme and in February and August 2016.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
This study will enable us to find out how this type of programme may be helpful to men. By doing this, we hope to be able to deliver this programme to more men across the country. The primary risk for participants is the stress associated with the possibility of individuals being identifiable in the presentation of findings. Steps have been taken to off-set these risks and have been approved by the WIT research ethics committee. In respect to the physical activity element of the Men on the Move programme, all participants complete a physical activity readiness questionnaire at the beginning the programme to determine the safety or possible risk of exercising based upon their responses to specific health history questions. These questionnaires are reviewed and where required participants are referred to their GP before starting the programme.

Where is the study run from?
Waterford Institute of Technology (Ireland)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
September 2015 to August 2016

Who is funding the study?
Health Service Executive (HSE), Cork Local Sports Partnership (LSP), Donegal LSP, Dublin LSP, Galway LSP, Kilkenny LSP, Limerick LSP, Mayo LSP, Waterford LSP, Irish Heart Foundation, Men's Development Network

Who is the main contact?
1. Dr Paula Carroll (pcarroll@wit.ie)
2. Alex Donohoe (ADonohoe@wit.ie)

Contact information

Dr Paula Carroll
Public

G06
Health Sciences Building
Waterford Institute of Technology
Cork Road Campus
Waterford
000
Ireland

ORCiD logoORCID ID 0000-0001-8465-4535
Phone +353 (0)51 834141
Email pcarroll@wit.ie
Miss Alex Donohoe
Scientific

G03
Health Sciences Building
Waterford Institute of Technology
Cork Road Campus
Waterford
000
Ireland

Phone +353 (0)51 834141
Email ADonohoe@wit.ie

Study information

Study designInterventional multi-centre controlled trial
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designNon randomised study
Study setting(s)Community
Study typePrevention
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use the contact details to request a patient information sheet
Scientific titleThe effect of a 12-week gender-sensitized physical activity intervention for men on biopsychosocial health measures
Study acronymMoM
Study hypothesisTo determine whether the MoM programme impacted the physical fitness, weight status and general health and lives of the men who attend.
Ethics approval(s)Research Ethics Committee of Waterford Institute of Technology, 21/04/2015, ref: 15/Dept-HSES/13
ConditionPhysical activity, mental well-being, obesity and physical fitness
InterventionThe intervention will comprise of structured group exercise [2*1 hour weekly], two facilitated workshops [diet and well-being], an information booklet with a PA log, a 5Km celebration event at 12 weeks, a pedometer for independent PA sessions and phone contact from local service providers. The core components of the structured group exercise [e.g. cardiovascular and strength and conditioning training] will be standardised across all centres. However, in keeping with good practice, some flexibility will be catered for within groups; minor tailoring of the programme may occur so that these core components are achieved in a way that best suits the men’s needs.

The comparison group will receive a free health check [time to complete 1 mile, BMI, waist circumference, BP and cholesterol] and an information booklet.
Intervention typeBehavioural
Primary outcome measure1. Physical fitness, measured using a 1 mile test (mins and dec mins) at baseline, 12, 26 and 52 weeks
2. Weight, measured using a seca 813 digital weighing scales (kg) at baseline, 12, 26 and 52 weeks
3. BMI, calculated using a mathematical formula (weight/height2 [kg/m2]) at baseline, 12, 26 and 52 weeks
4. Waist circumference, measured using measuring tape (cm) at baseline, 12, 26 and 52 weeks
5. General health history and perception, measured using a questionnaire adapted from SLÁN 2007 [Barry et al., 2009] and Premier League Health [White et al., 2012] at baseline 12, 26 and 52 weeks
6. Dietary habits, measured using a Questionnaire; adapted from Premier League Football health initiatives evaluation [White at al., 2012] at baseline, 12, 26 and 52 weeks
7. Alcohol habits, measured using a questionnaire adapted from SLÁN [Barry et al., 2009] and Premier League Football health initiatives evaluation [White et al., 2012] at 12, 26 and 52 weeks
8. Smoking habits, measured using a questionnaire adapted from SLÁN [Barry et al., 2009] and Premier League Football [White et al., 2012] health initiatives evaluation at 12, 26 and 52 weeks
9. Mental well-being, measured using a questionnaire adapted from The Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale at baseline, 12, 26 and 52 weeks
10. Social integration, measured using a questionnaire (Berkman-Syme social network index) at baseline, 12, 26 and 52 weeks
Secondary outcome measures1. Cost effectiveness analysis of the intervention effects - data collected by within trial analysis [cost calculation of resources inputted into the programme, objective measures of weight, BMI and waist circumference, and time to do 1 mile]
2. Broader impacts of the programme on the health and lives of the participants - data collected through focus groups and interviews with participants
3. An investigation of the sustainability of the model of community-based health promotion for men - data collected through focus groups and interviews with service providers
Overall study start date01/09/2015
Overall study end date31/08/2016

Eligibility

Participant type(s)All
Age groupAdult
SexMale
Target number of participantsA total of 720 participants were targeted with 360 in each arm [Intervention and Control]. To date, the trialists have recruited 492 and 426 participants in the intervention and control groups, respectively. Each group is spread across 12 centers with at least 30 men in each center.
Participant inclusion criteria1. Currently inactive men [not meeting national PA guidelines]
2. Complete Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire
3. Not participated in a MoM programme before
Participant exclusion criteriaNon-proficiency in the English language
Recruitment start date01/09/2015
Recruitment end date17/09/2015

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • Ireland

Study participating centres

Falcarragh
Co. Donegal
-
Ireland
Lifford
Co. Donegal
-
Ireland
Rathmullen
Co. Donegal
-
Ireland
Ballina
Co. Mayo
-
Ireland
Ballaghderren
Co. Mayo
-
Ireland
Crossmolina
Co. Mayo
-
Ireland
Waterford City
Regional Sports Centre
Co. Waterford
-
Ireland
Dungarvan
Co. Waterford
-
Ireland
Lismore
Co. Waterford
-
Ireland
Oughterard
Co. Galway
-
Ireland
Doughiska
Co. Galway
-
Ireland
Ballinasloe
Co. Galway
-
Ireland
Rialto
Co. Dublin
-
Ireland
Coolook
Co. Dublin
-
Ireland
Terenure
Co. Dublin
-
Ireland
Ballyhea
Co. Cork
-
Ireland
Inniscara
Co. Cork
-
Ireland
Dunmanway
Co. Cork
-
Ireland
Desmond league
Co. Limmerick
-
Ireland
Auginish Diving Club
Co. Limerick
-
Ireland
Limmerick Swim Club
Co. Limmerick
-
Ireland
Richmond Rugby Club
Co. Limmerick
-
Ireland
Thomastown
Co. Kilkenny
-
Ireland
Castlecomer
Co. Kilkenny
-
Ireland
O' Loughlin Gaels
Co. Kilkenny
-
Ireland

Sponsor information

Centre for Health Behaviour Research (Ireland)
University/education

Waterford Institute of Technology
Cork Road campus
Waterford
000
Ireland

Phone +353 (0)51 834141
Email PCarroll@wit.ie
Website http://www.wit.ie/research/centres_and_groups/research_groups/health_sciences/centre_for_health_behaviour_research

Funders

Funder type

Government

Health Service Executive (HSE) [Health Promotion and Improvement Division]

No information available

Cork Local Sports Partnership (LSP), Donegal LSP, Dublin LSP, Galway LSP, Kilkenny LSP, Limerick LSP, Mayo LSP, Waterford LSP

No information available

Irish Heart Foundation
Private sector organisation / Trusts, charities, foundations (both public and private)
Alternative name(s)
IHF
Location
Ireland
Men's Development Network

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date20/06/2018
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareYes
IPD sharing plan summaryAvailable on request
Publication and dissemination planIt is envisaged there will be numerous publications arising from this research study and the following are currently under development:
1. Study protocol and procedures
2. Methods paper that looks at the lessons learned from implementing a national practitioner based action research project
3. A baseline profile of the men who participated in this study that will also look at the relationship between physiological and psychosocial health indicators
4. The impact of a 12-week PA programme for men on the biopsychosocial health indicators (Quantitative Data).
5. The broader impact of the programme on men's health and lives (Qualitative Data)
6. The factors that contribute to a sustainable model of community based health promotion for men
7. The impact of practitioner experiences of engaging with men on the MoM programme on future practice
8. The cost effectiveness of the programme

Added 14/06/2019:
Kelly L, Richardson N, Carroll P, Keohane A, Donohoe A, Harrison M, Robertson S. ‘Men on the Move’: A community-based physical activity programme for adult men in Ireland. 8th Conference of HEPA Europe 2017. 15th – 17th November 2017, Zagreb, Croatia. Plenary Session Presentation

2019 evaluation report: https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/news/media/pressrel/men-on-the-move-evaluation-report.pdf
IPD sharing plan

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Protocol article protocol 17/03/2018 Yes No
Other publications process evaluation 20/09/2018 Yes No
Other publications pre-adoption characteristics 01/06/2019 Yes No
Results article results 01/12/2019 14/06/2019 Yes No
Other publications economic evaluation 01/02/2021 01/02/2021 Yes No

Editorial Notes

14/04/2021: Publication reference added.
14/06/2019: Publication references added.
11/12/2018: Publication references added.
10/04/2018: Intention to publish date updated.
22/03/2018: Publication reference added.