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
Protocol serial number	N/A
Sponsor	Centre for Health Behaviour Research (Ireland)
Funders	Health Service Executive (HSE) [Health Promotion and Improvement Division], 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

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 of protocol

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 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

Primary study design	Interventional
Study design	Interventional multi-centre controlled trial
Secondary study design	Non randomised study
Study type	Participant information sheet
Scientific title	The effect of a 12-week gender-sensitized physical activity intervention for men on biopsychosocial health measures
Study acronym	MoM
Study objectives	To 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
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied	Physical activity, mental well-being, obesity and physical fitness
Intervention	The 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 type	Behavioural
Primary outcome measure(s)	1. 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
Key secondary outcome measure(s)	1. 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
Completion date	31/08/2016

Eligibility

Participant type(s)	All
Age group	Adult
Sex	Male
Target sample size at registration	720
Key inclusion criteria	1. Currently inactive men [not meeting national PA guidelines] 2. Complete Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire 3. Not participated in a MoM programme before
Key exclusion criteria	Non-proficiency in the English language
Date of first enrolment	01/09/2015
Date of final enrolment	17/09/2015

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

Results and Publications

Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share	Yes
IPD sharing plan summary	Available on request
IPD sharing plan

Study outputs

Output type	Details	Date created	Date added	Peer reviewed?	Patient-facing?
Results article	results	01/12/2019	14/06/2019	Yes	No
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
Other publications	economic evaluation	01/02/2021	01/02/2021	Yes	No
Participant information sheet	Participant information sheet	11/11/2025	11/11/2025	No	Yes

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.