Physical ActivityNCT07446231
Reframing Retirement: An Examination of Identity Change and Self-Regulation Approaches to Promote Physical Activity
A study testing Self Regulation Digital Health Online Platform and Identity Digital Health Online Platform in people with Physical Activity and Health Promotion, run by University of Victoria at 1 site in Canada.
Trial summary
The primary objective of this clinical trial is to test the efficacy of an innovative multimodal eHealth \& mHealth intervention (focused on emphasizing identity/habit and/or self-regulation) on increasing moderate to vigorous (MVPA) across 12 months among newly retired adults not meeting Physical Activity guidelines… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 60 to 70 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Physical Activity, Health Promotion
- What is being tested?
- Self Regulation Digital Health Online Platform and Identity Digital Health Online Platform
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 159 participants
- Where
- 1 siteCanada
- Study dates
- 1 Mar 2026to 31 Mar 2030
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 60 to 70 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Adults aged 60-70 years
- Recently retired (within the past 1.5 years) from occupational work
- Access to the internet via computer or smartphone
- Able to engage in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) independently
- Participating in less than 150 minutes of MVPA per week, based on:
- Screening with Godin's Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire, and Baseline accelerometry as secondary confirmation
Who cannot join
- Participation in 150 minutes or more of MVPA per week, based on questionnaire or accelerometry screening
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Sandy Courtnall L Project Coordinator/Manager, Behavioural Medicine Lab contact
Canada1 site
University of Victoria
Victoria, British Columbia, V8W 2Y2
Ryan Rhodes, rrhodes@uvic.ca
Sandy Courtnall, scourtna@uvic.ca
About this study
The primary objective of this clinical trial is to test the efficacy of an innovative multimodal eHealth \& mHealth intervention (focused on emphasizing identity/habit and/or self-regulation) on increasing moderate to vigorous (MVPA) across 12 months among newly retired adults not meeting Physical Activity guidelines at study baseline, thus at higher risk of age-related chronic diseases.
The secondary objectives are to examine whether these approaches improve physical and mental well-being and health related fitness-outcomes.
Read more
Principal Research Question 1: Does an intervention focused on identity/habit + self-regulation skills + education (ID) increase moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) compared with an intervention focused on self-regulation skills + education (SR), and an education control condition (ED)? Three-arm parallel design single blinded randomized controlled trial. Participants will be randomized to one of three groups (ID, SR, ED) for 12 months duration.
- After the initial screening process, eligible participants will be provided with an accelerometer-mailed or delivered in person-to wear for seven consecutive days. Data collected will verify baseline physical activity levels and determine final eligibility based on adherence to physical activity guideline thresholds.
- Participants will visit the lab for fitness testing and complete an online questionnaire See below in "detailed description" the breakdown/delivery given for each of the 3 arms.
Read the detailed description
BACKGROUND: According to the 2021 census, there are 9.7 million people aged 60 or over in Canada, a surge of 8% since the 2016 census. Further, with life expectancy increasing, the prevalence of chronic diseases and conditions such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, cancer, cognitive decline, frailty, and dementia that are associated with an ageing population are placing increasing pressures on healthcare systems. There is compelling evidence that engaging in regular PA, of at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity aerobic PA throughout the week complemented with muscle strengthening activities at least twice a week, can prevent the onset and progress of age-related chronic diseases and positively influence physical and mental health outcomes. Despite these well-documented benefits, 80% of Canadian adults are not meeting the recommended PA guidelines, with levels of PA decreasing steadily with age. Thus, implementing interventions that effectively increase PA to optimize the physical and mental health outcomes is a public health priority. To date, interventions promoting PA have shown mixed results, so there is a need to better understand, and test innovative behavior change techniques. Further, PA interventions have not focused on specific aging subgroups (e.g., 60-70 years, >80 years), making it difficult to design and implement effective interventions and make suitable recommendations for policy and practice. One of those important groups that has not received enough evidence-based research (only two small studies), are those transitioning into retirement (i.e., 60-70 years). Transitioning into retirement is established as a seminal period where significant altercations in lifestyle (e.g., reframing of identity, lack of routine) present an opportunity to promote PA.
TARGET POPULATION: Participants will be:
- aged between 60 -70 years, living in Victoria, British-Columbia, Canada.
- recently retired (within 1.5 years) from occupational work
- have an internet connection with a computer or smartphone
- able to engage in MVPA independently,
- participate in MVPA below Canadian recommended aerobic guidelines (<150 minutes of MVPA per week, screened by Godin's Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire.
The researcher will also screen participants on baseline accelerometry results (as a secondary assurance).
Those participants above the Canadian recommended guidelines will be excluded from the trial.
SAMPLE SIZE : 159 participants, 53 participants per group
Participants will then be randomized into one of the three conditions (post accelerometer screening):
- 1) The ID condition will be comprised of a 6-week, 10 module format, covering all reflective, regulatory, and reflexive processes.
- 2 The SR condition will have access to modules 1 through 6 (reflective and regulatory processes)
- 3 The ED condition will have access to modules 1 to 3 (reflective processes).
- Additional modules (4 in SR, 7 in ED) will be included in the SR and ED conditions to ensure equivalence of dose across conditions.
- These additional modules will focus on general retirement considerations such as travel, socializing, and financial planning with the same style and formatting as the PA modules.
- All groups will receive support/booster check-ins on the same material as their intervention designation at 3-,6-, and 12 weeks and 6-months.
- After the initial 6-week intervention period, participants will be given follow-up online questionnaires and accelerometers.
- This will follow a similar protocol for the 3-, 6- and 12-month time period (6-month assessment will include fitness testing).
- In addition, all participants will be asked to participate in an end-of-trial semi-structured interview (at 6-months).
- Conditions
- Physical Activity, Health Promotion
- Being tested
- Self Regulation Digital Health Online Platform, Identity Digital Health Online Platform, Control Digital Health Online Platform
- Medical subject headings
- Motor Activity
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Self Regulation Digital Health Online PlatformBehavioural
Also called Self Regulation
The Digital Health Online Platform has 10 lessons that the participant will gain access to on a weekly basis. The Self Regulation (SR) Intervention Condition will have access to Lessons 1 through 6 (reflective and regulatory processes). Lesson titles are as follows:
Lesson 1: Why Physical Activity Matters During Retirement Lesson 2: Physical Activity Enhances Your Mood and Wellbeing Lesson 3: Social Connections, Confidence and Enjoyment: Keys to an Active Life Lesson 4: Setting Goals and Planning Ahead for Active Living Lesson 5: Staying on Track: Monitoring Your Activity on Your Own and With Others Lesson 6: How to Keep Moving When You Don't Feel Like It
4 additional lessons will be included in the SR condition to ensure equivalence of dose across conditions.
Identity Digital Health Online PlatformBehavioural
Also called Identity
The Digital Health Online platform has 10 lessons that the Identity (ID) Intervention Condition participant will gain access to on a weekly basis.
Lesson titles are as follows:
Lesson 1: Why Physical Activity Matters During Retirement Lesson 2: Physical Activity Enhances Your Mood and Wellbeing Lesson 3: Social Connections, Confidence and Enjoyment: Keys to an Active Life Lesson 4: Setting Goals and Planning Ahead for Active Living Lesson 5: Staying on Track: Monitoring Your Activity on Your Own and With Others Lesson 6: How to Keep Moving When You Don't Feel Like It Lesson 7: How to Build Lasting Habits Lesson 8: Habits That Last: Staying Active Through Change Lesson 9: Who You Are When You Move: Understanding and Building Identities Lesson 10: Staying Connected and True to Your Values
Control Digital Health Online PlatformBehavioural
Also called Education
Control Group will have access to education lessons 1 to 3 (reflective processes). 7 additional education lessons are included in the Control Education group to ensure equivalence of dose across conditions.
Participants will be provided with an accelerometer-mailed or delivered-to wear for seven consecutive days.
Following accelerometer wear, participants will complete an online questionnaire and attend the laboratory for fitness testing.
All groups will receive support/booster check-ins on the same material as their intervention designation at 3-,6-, and 12 weeks and 6-months. - After the initial 6-week intervention period, participants will be given follow-up online questionnaires and accelerometers. - This will follow a similar protocol for the 3-, 6- and 12-month time period (6-month assessment will include fitness testing). - In addition, all participants will be asked to participate in an end-of-trial semi-structured interview (at 6-months).
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Identity Intervention Condition | Experimental | The ID condition will be comprised of a 6-week, 10 module format (1-2 modules released per week), covering all reflective, regulatory, and reflexive processes. Modules 8-10 cover behavior change techniques targeting habit and identity that correspond to PA during the transition to retirement.
* Participants will be provided with an accelerometer to wear for a week.
* Participants will then complete an online questionnaire and attend the laboratory for fitness testing.
* All groups will receive support/booster check-ins on the same material as their intervention designation at 3-,6-, and 12 weeks and 6-months.
* After the initial 6-week intervention period, participants will be given follow-up online questionnaires and accelerometers.
* This will follow a similar protocol for the 3-, 6- and 12-month time period (6-month assessment will include fitness testing).
* In addition, all participants will be asked to participate in an exit interview (at 6-months). Receives: Behavioral: Identity Digital Health Online Platform |
| Self Regulation Intervention Condition | Experimental | Self Regulation Intervention Condition will have access to modules 1 through 6 (reflective and regulatory processes). 4 additional modules will be included to ensure equivalence of dose across conditions. \& focus on general retirement considerations such as travel, socializing, and financial planning with the same style and formatting as the PA modules.
Participants will be provided with an accelerometer to wear for a week. Participants will complete online survey \& attend fitness testing @ the lab. All groups receive support/booster check-ins on the same material as their intervention designation at 3-,6-, and 12 weeks and 6-months.
After the initial 6-week intervention period, participants will be given follow-up online questionnaires and accelerometers.
This will follow a similar protocol for the 3-, 6- and 12-month time period (6-month assessment will include fitness testing).
All participants will be asked to participate in a 6 month exit interview. Receives: Behavioral: Self Regulation Digital Health Online Platform |
| Control Education Group | Experimental | Control Group will have access to education lessons 1 to 3 (reflective processes). 7 additional education lessons are included in the Control Education group to ensure equivalence of dose across conditions.
* Participants will be provided with an accelerometer-mailed or delivered-to wear for seven consecutive days.
* Following accelerometer wear, participants will complete an online questionnaire and attend the laboratory for fitness testing.
* All groups will receive support/booster check-ins on the same material as their intervention designation at 3-,6-, and 12 weeks and 6-months. - After the initial 6-week intervention period, participants will be given follow-up online questionnaires and accelerometers. - This will follow a similar protocol for the 3-, 6- and 12-month time period (6-month assessment will include fitness testing). - In addition, all participants will be asked to participate in an end-of-trial semi-structured interview (at 6-months). Receives: Behavioral: Control Digital Health Online Platform |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
MVPA
Primary Outcome - MVPA will be measured with wGT3X-BT ActiGraph accelerometers, the gold standard for PA measurement in field settings. Participants will wear the devices during waking hours on a belt around the waist (with the device positioned above the right iliac crest) for seven consecutive days. Valid cut-points (counts per minute) for adults will be used to classify MVPA. For a day to be considered valid, there will need to be a minimum of 300 minutes (6 hours) within a 24-hour period of valid wear time.Missing data will be modelled from available data.
Measured: From enrollment to the end of data collection (Baseline, 6 Weeks, 3 Months & 6 Months & 12 months )
Secondary outcomes (25)
Secondary Outcome Health-Related Fitness Measure 1 - Body Mass Index (BMI)
Secondary Outcome Measure 1 Title: Body Mass Index (BMI) Description: Body mass (kg) and height (cm) will be measured using standard procedures and combined to calculate BMI (kg/m²).
Unit of Measure: kg/m² Time Frame: Baseline and 6 months
Measured: At Baseline & 6 Months
Secondary Outcome Health-Related Fitness Measure 2 - Waist Circumference
Secondary Outcome Measure 2 Title: Waist Circumference Description: Waist circumference (cm) will be measured using standardized anthropometric procedures.
Unit of Measure: cm Time Frame: Baseline and 6 months
Measured: Time Frame: Baseline and 6 months
Secondary Outcome Health-Related Fitness Measure 3 - Cardiovascular Fitness
Secondary Outcome Measure 3 Title: Cardiovascular Fitness Description: Cardiovascular fitness will be assessed using the YMCA submaximal cycle ergometer test, with estimated cardiorespiratory fitness derived according to standard protocols.
Unit of Measure: Estimated VO₂ (mL/kg/min) or workload-based estimate (choose whichever you will report) Time Frame: Baseline and 6 months
Measured: Time Frame: Baseline and 6 months
Secondary Outcome Health-Related Fitness Measure 4 - Upper-Body Strength
Secondary Outcome Measure 4 Title: Upper-Body Strength - 30 second bicep curl strength test Description: Upper-body strength will be assessed using the 30-second bicep curl test. The test involves performing as many arm curls as possible in 30 seconds, while sitting in a chair holding a dumbbell in the dominant arm.
Test purpose: This test measures upper body strength and endurance.
Unit of Measure: repetitions Time Frame: Baseline and 6 months
Measured: Time Frame: Baseline and 6 months
Secondary Outcome Health-Related Fitness Measure 5 - Lower-Body Strength
Secondary Outcome Measure 5 Title: Lower-Body Strength Description: Lower-body strength and power will be assessed using the 30-second chair stand test.
Unit of Measure: repetitions Time Frame: Baseline and 6 months
Measured: Time Frame: Baseline and 6 months
Secondary Outcome Health-Related Fitness Measure 6 - Flexibility
Secondary Outcome Measure 6 Title: Flexibility Description: Flexibility will be assessed using the sit-and-reach test. Unit of Measure: cm Time Frame: Baseline and 6 months
Measured: Time Frame: Baseline and 6 months
Secondary Outcome Measure: Reflective Processes
Reflective Processes Description: Attitudes and perceived capability and opportunity will be assessed using M-PAC self-report items rated on 7-point bipolar Likert scales, with higher scores indicating stronger reflective processes.
Unit of Measure: score on 7-point scale Time Frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months
Measured: Time Frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months
Secondary Outcome Measure: Regulatory Processes
Regulatory Processes Description: Regulatory processes will be assessed using the Physical Activity Regulation Scale (PARS). Items are rated on a 7-point Likert scale, with higher scores indicating greater use of self-regulatory strategies.
Unit of Measure: score on 7-point scale Time Frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months
Measured: Time Frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months
Secondary Outcome Measure: Reflexive Processes - Habit Automaticity (Self-Report Habit Index - Automaticity Subscale)
Habit automaticity will be assessed using the Automaticity Subscale of the Self-Report Habit Index (SRHI), a validated self-report questionnaire measuring the extent to which a behavior is performed automatically. Participants rate each item on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree). Higher scores indicate stronger habit automaticity.
Unit of Measure:
Score on the Automaticity Subscale (range: mean item score on 1-5 scale)
Measured: Time Frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months
Secondary Outcome Measure: Reflexive Processes - Identity
Reflexive Processes - Identity Description: Exercise identity will be assessed using the Exercise Identity Scale. Items are rated on a 7-point Likert scale, with higher scores indicating stronger exercise identity.
Unit of Measure: score on 7-point scale Time Frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months
Measured: Time Frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months
Social Identity & Prior Identity
Social Identity Social identity will be assessed using the Multidimensional Inventory of Physical Activity Identity (25-item version). Items are rated on 7-point Likert scales (1-7), with higher scores indicating stronger social physical activity identity.
Prior Identity Prior physical activity identity will be assessed using retrospective self-report items assessing identity "when younger" (e.g., when describing oneself to others in earlier life). Items are rated on 7-point Likert scales (1-7), with higher scores indicating stronger prior physical activity identity.
Measured: From enrollment to the end of data collection (Baseline, 6 Weeks, 3 Months & 6 Months & 12 months )
Well-being outcomes
- Well-being (Psychological Flourishing)
Description:
Psychological well-being will be assessed using the Flourishing Scale. The scale includes 8 items assessing self-perceived success in areas such as relationships, self-esteem, purpose, and optimism. Items are rated on a 7-point Likert scale (range: 1-7) and summed to produce a total flourishing score, with higher scores indicating greater psychological flourishing.
Measured: From enrollment to the end of data collection (Baseline, 6 Weeks, 3 Months & 6 Months & 12 months)
Subjective norm - Descriptive
Subjective Norm - Descriptive Description: Descriptive subjective norm will be assessed using M PAC self report items rated on a 7 point Likert scale, with higher scores indicating stronger perceived norms. Unit of Measure: score on 7 point scale Time Frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months
Measured: Time Frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months
Subjective norm - Injunctive
- Subjective Norm - Injunctive Description: Injunctive Description: Injunctive subjective norm will be assessed using M PAC self report items rated on a 7 point Likert scale, with higher scores indicating stronger perceived social approval. Unit of Measure: score on 7 point scale Time Frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months Time Frame: Time Frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months
Measured: Time Frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months
Relatedness
Relatedness Description: Relatedness will be assessed using the relatedness subscale of the Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction and Frustration Scale. Items are rated on a 5 point Likert scale, with higher scores indicating greater perceived relatedness. (8 items total, but only using 4 satisfaction items) Unit of Measure: score on 5 point scale Time Frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months
Measured: Time Frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months
Perceived mental and physical health
Perceived Mental and Physical Health Description: Perceived mental and physical health will be assessed using the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12). The survey yields a Physical Component Summary (PCS) score and a Mental Component Summary (MCS) score. Scores are standardized (range: 0-100), with higher scores indicating better perceived physical and mental health.
Measured: From enrollment to the end of data collection (Baseline, 6 Weeks, 3 Months & 6 Months & 12 months)
Sociodemographic variables
Sociodemographic variables will be collected at baseline including age, sex, gender, marital status, highest level of education, current employment status, income, ethnicity, PA history. We will disaggregate and analyze all primary and secondary outcomes by gender and sex. Other demographic (e.g., age, ethnicity) variables that intersect with gender will also be considered. The approach recommended by experts in gender related measures is the two-step approach (Centre of Excellence for Transgender Health), which involves asking participants about both their current gender identity and their sex assigned at birth. Specific M-PAC constructs (e.g., perceived capability, habit, identity) may vary by sex and gender, thus targeting these considerations may maximize the potential effectiveness of PA interventions
Measured: Sociodemographic variables will be collected at baseline
Personality Questionnaire
Personality Traits Description: Personality traits will be assessed using a study-developed self-report questionnaire based on the Five-Factor Model of personality (McCrae \& Costa), assessing Neuroticism, Extraversion, Openness to Experience, Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness. Each domain is assessed using 12 items rated on a 5-point Likert scale (range: 1-5), with higher scores indicating greater expression of the respective personality trait.
Time Frame: 3 months only
Measured: One time ask @ 3 months only
Experience w/Computers
Experience with Computers - Years of Use Experience with computers will be assessed by self-report of the number of years the participant has been using computers (years), with higher values indicating greater experience.
Experience with Computers - Weekly Use Experience with computers will be assessed by self-report of the typical number of hours per week the participant uses a computer (hours/week), with higher values indicating greater use.
Measured: One time ask @ Baseline only
Outcome Measure: Home Environment & Home Environment for Physical Activity
Home Environment for Physical Activity Description: The home environment for physical activity will be assessed using the Home Environment Survey (Gattshall et al.), which evaluates availability and accessibility of physical activity equipment. Items are rated on 4 point Likert-type scale, with higher scores indicating greater support for physical activity in the home.
Unit of Measure: score on scale Time Frame: 6 weeks only
Measured: One time ask @ 6 weeks only
Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA)
Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA):
EMA smartphone check-ins to capture within-day changes in motivation and feelings toward physical activity behaviors.
Measured: Participants will complete brief EMA surveys through the Pathverse mobile app for 7 consecutive days at weeks 5, 10, 15, 30, and 45.
System Usability - - Time on Platform
Time on Platform Description: Website usage will be assessed using automatically collected platform analytics, including average time spent on the platform per week and average time spent on module pages per week.
Unit of Measure: minutes per week Time Frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months
Measured: Time Frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months
System Usability - Engagement Breadth
Engagement Breadth Description: Engagement breadth will be assessed using automatically collected platform analytics, defined as the percentage of total available pages accessed.
Unit of Measure: percent of pages accessed (%) Time Frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months
Measured: Time Frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months
System Usability - Engagement Duration
Engagement Duration Description: Engagement duration will be assessed using automatically collected platform analytics, defined as the total number of weeks participants engaged with the online platform.
Unit of Measure: weeks Time Frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months
Measured: Time Frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months
Process Evaluation
Process Evaluation will involve a brief quantitative questionnaire to assess use of the intervention material and overall satisfaction of the study similar to our prior trials. Semi-structured interviews will be used to examine each of the subcomponents described in the first step.
Measured: Process Evaluation will be completed immediately post-intervention (12 months)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted3 Mar 2026
- Study start1 Mar 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion31 Mar 2030 (estimated)
- Study completion31 Mar 2030 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Physical ActivityStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Three-arm parallel design single blinded randomized controlled trial.
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 159 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Victoria
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Ryan Rhodes, PhD, Principal investigator, University of Victoria
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07446231
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- PJT-198005
- Status last verified
- Jan 2026
- First submitted
- 12 Jan 2026
- Last updated
- 3 Mar 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 3 Mar 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Reframing Retirement: An Examination of Identity Change and Self-Regulation Approaches to Promote Physical Activity
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07446231
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- PJT-198005
- Conditions
- Physical Activity, Health Promotion
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 159 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- University of VictoriaUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Mar 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 31 Mar 2030 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 31 Mar 2030 (estimated)
- First posted
- 3 Mar 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The primary objective of this clinical trial is to test the efficacy of an innovative multimodal eHealth \& mHealth intervention (focused on emphasizing identity/habit and/or self-regulation) on increasing moderate to vigorous (MVPA) across 12 months among newly retired adults not meeting Physical Activity guidelines at study baseline, thus at higher risk of age-related chronic diseases.
The secondary objectives are to examine whether these approaches improve physical and mental well-being and health related fitness-outcomes.
Principal Research Question 1: Does an intervention focused on identity/habit + self-regulation skills + education (ID) increase moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) compared with an intervention focused on self-regulation skills + education (SR), and an education control condition (ED)? Three-arm parallel design single blinded randomized controlled trial. Participants will be randomized to one of three groups (ID, SR, ED) for 12 months duration.
- After the initial screening process, eligible participants will be provided with an accelerometer-mailed or delivered in person-to wear for seven consecutive days. Data collected will verify baseline physical activity levels and determine final eligibility based on adherence to physical activity guideline thresholds.
- Participants will visit the lab for fitness testing and complete an online questionnaire See below in "detailed description" the breakdown/delivery given for each of the 3 arms.
Detailed description
BACKGROUND: According to the 2021 census, there are 9.7 million people aged 60 or over in Canada, a surge of 8% since the 2016 census. Further, with life expectancy increasing, the prevalence of chronic diseases and conditions such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, cancer, cognitive decline, frailty, and dementia that are associated with an ageing population are placing increasing pressures on healthcare systems. There is compelling evidence that engaging in regular PA, of at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity aerobic PA throughout the week complemented with muscle strengthening activities at least twice a week, can prevent the onset and progress of age-related chronic diseases and positively influence physical and mental health outcomes. Despite these well-documented benefits, 80% of Canadian adults are not meeting the recommended PA guidelines, with levels of PA decreasing steadily with age. Thus, implementing interventions that effectively increase PA to optimize the physical and mental health outcomes is a public health priority. To date, interventions promoting PA have shown mixed results, so there is a need to better understand, and test innovative behavior change techniques. Further, PA interventions have not focused on specific aging subgroups (e.g., 60-70 years, >80 years), making it difficult to design and implement effective interventions and make suitable recommendations for policy and practice. One of those important groups that has not received enough evidence-based research (only two small studies), are those transitioning into retirement (i.e., 60-70 years). Transitioning into retirement is established as a seminal period where significant altercations in lifestyle (e.g., reframing of identity, lack of routine) present an opportunity to promote PA.
TARGET POPULATION: Participants will be:
- aged between 60 -70 years, living in Victoria, British-Columbia, Canada.
- recently retired (within 1.5 years) from occupational work
- have an internet connection with a computer or smartphone
- able to engage in MVPA independently,
- participate in MVPA below Canadian recommended aerobic guidelines (<150 minutes of MVPA per week, screened by Godin's Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire.
The researcher will also screen participants on baseline accelerometry results (as a secondary assurance).
Those participants above the Canadian recommended guidelines will be excluded from the trial.
SAMPLE SIZE : 159 participants, 53 participants per group
Participants will then be randomized into one of the three conditions (post accelerometer screening):
- 1) The ID condition will be comprised of a 6-week, 10 module format, covering all reflective, regulatory, and reflexive processes.
- 2 The SR condition will have access to modules 1 through 6 (reflective and regulatory processes)
- 3 The ED condition will have access to modules 1 to 3 (reflective processes).
- Additional modules (4 in SR, 7 in ED) will be included in the SR and ED conditions to ensure equivalence of dose across conditions.
- These additional modules will focus on general retirement considerations such as travel, socializing, and financial planning with the same style and formatting as the PA modules.
- All groups will receive support/booster check-ins on the same material as their intervention designation at 3-,6-, and 12 weeks and 6-months.
- After the initial 6-week intervention period, participants will be given follow-up online questionnaires and accelerometers.
- This will follow a similar protocol for the 3-, 6- and 12-month time period (6-month assessment will include fitness testing).
- In addition, all participants will be asked to participate in an end-of-trial semi-structured interview (at 6-months).
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 3
- Model description
- Three-arm parallel design single blinded randomized controlled trial.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Identity Intervention Condition | Experimental | Behavioral: Identity Digital Health Online PlatformThe ID condition will be comprised of a 6-week, 10 module format (1-2 modules released per week), covering all reflective, regulatory, and reflexive processes. Modules 8-10 cover behavior change techniques targeting habit and identity that correspond to PA during the transition to retirement. * Participants will be provided with an accelerometer to wear for a week. * Participants will then complete an online questionnaire and attend the laboratory for fitness testing. * All groups will receive support/booster check-ins on the same material as their intervention designation at 3-,6-, and 12 weeks and 6-months. * After the initial 6-week intervention period, participants will be given follow-up online questionnaires and accelerometers. * This will follow a similar protocol for the 3-, 6- and 12-month time period (6-month assessment will include fitness testing). * In addition, all participants will be asked to participate in an exit interview (at 6-months). |
| Self Regulation Intervention Condition | Experimental | Behavioral: Self Regulation Digital Health Online PlatformSelf Regulation Intervention Condition will have access to modules 1 through 6 (reflective and regulatory processes). 4 additional modules will be included to ensure equivalence of dose across conditions. \& focus on general retirement considerations such as travel, socializing, and financial planning with the same style and formatting as the PA modules. Participants will be provided with an accelerometer to wear for a week. Participants will complete online survey \& attend fitness testing @ the lab. All groups receive support/booster check-ins on the same material as their intervention designation at 3-,6-, and 12 weeks and 6-months. After the initial 6-week intervention period, participants will be given follow-up online questionnaires and accelerometers. This will follow a similar protocol for the 3-, 6- and 12-month time period (6-month assessment will include fitness testing). All participants will be asked to participate in a 6 month exit interview. |
| Control Education Group | Experimental | Behavioral: Control Digital Health Online PlatformControl Group will have access to education lessons 1 to 3 (reflective processes). 7 additional education lessons are included in the Control Education group to ensure equivalence of dose across conditions. * Participants will be provided with an accelerometer-mailed or delivered-to wear for seven consecutive days. * Following accelerometer wear, participants will complete an online questionnaire and attend the laboratory for fitness testing. * All groups will receive support/booster check-ins on the same material as their intervention designation at 3-,6-, and 12 weeks and 6-months. - After the initial 6-week intervention period, participants will be given follow-up online questionnaires and accelerometers. - This will follow a similar protocol for the 3-, 6- and 12-month time period (6-month assessment will include fitness testing). - In addition, all participants will be asked to participate in an end-of-trial semi-structured interview (at 6-months). |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 60 to 70 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Adults aged 60-70 years
- Recently retired (within the past 1.5 years) from occupational work
- Access to the internet via computer or smartphone
- Able to engage in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) independently
- Participating in less than 150 minutes of MVPA per week, based on:
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Participation in 150 minutes or more of MVPA per week, based on questionnaire or accelerometry screening
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Self Regulation Digital Health Online PlatformAlso: Self RegulationThe Digital Health Online Platform has 10 lessons that the participant will gain access to on a weekly basis. The Self Regulation (SR) Intervention Condition will have access to Lessons 1 through 6 (reflective and regulatory processes). Lesson titles are as follows: Lesson 1: Why Physical Activity Matters During Retirement Lesson 2: Physical Activity Enhances Your Mood and Wellbeing Lesson 3: Social Connections, Confidence and Enjoyment: Keys to an Active Life Lesson 4: Setting Goals and Planning Ahead for Active Living Lesson 5: Staying on Track: Monitoring Your Activity on Your Own and With Others Lesson 6: How to Keep Moving When You Don't Feel Like It 4 additional lessons will be included in the SR condition to ensure equivalence of dose across conditions. | Behavioural | Self Regulation Intervention Condition |
| Identity Digital Health Online PlatformAlso: IdentityThe Digital Health Online platform has 10 lessons that the Identity (ID) Intervention Condition participant will gain access to on a weekly basis. Lesson titles are as follows: Lesson 1: Why Physical Activity Matters During Retirement Lesson 2: Physical Activity Enhances Your Mood and Wellbeing Lesson 3: Social Connections, Confidence and Enjoyment: Keys to an Active Life Lesson 4: Setting Goals and Planning Ahead for Active Living Lesson 5: Staying on Track: Monitoring Your Activity on Your Own and With Others Lesson 6: How to Keep Moving When You Don't Feel Like It Lesson 7: How to Build Lasting Habits Lesson 8: Habits That Last: Staying Active Through Change Lesson 9: Who You Are When You Move: Understanding and Building Identities Lesson 10: Staying Connected and True to Your Values | Behavioural | Identity Intervention Condition |
| Control Digital Health Online PlatformAlso: EducationControl Group will have access to education lessons 1 to 3 (reflective processes). 7 additional education lessons are included in the Control Education group to ensure equivalence of dose across conditions. Participants will be provided with an accelerometer-mailed or delivered-to wear for seven consecutive days. Following accelerometer wear, participants will complete an online questionnaire and attend the laboratory for fitness testing. All groups will receive support/booster check-ins on the same material as their intervention designation at 3-,6-, and 12 weeks and 6-months. - After the initial 6-week intervention period, participants will be given follow-up online questionnaires and accelerometers. - This will follow a similar protocol for the 3-, 6- and 12-month time period (6-month assessment will include fitness testing). - In addition, all participants will be asked to participate in an end-of-trial semi-structured interview (at 6-months). | Behavioural | Control Education Group |
Primary outcome
MVPA
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of data collection (Baseline, 6 Weeks, 3 Months & 6 Months & 12 months )
Primary Outcome - MVPA will be measured with wGT3X-BT ActiGraph accelerometers, the gold standard for PA measurement in field settings. Participants will wear the devices during waking hours on a belt around the waist (with the device positioned above the right iliac crest) for seven consecutive days. Valid cut-points (counts per minute) for adults will be used to classify MVPA. For a day to be considered valid, there will need to be a minimum of 300 minutes (6 hours) within a 24-hour period of valid wear time.Missing data will be modelled from available data.
25 secondary outcomes
Secondary Outcome Health-Related Fitness Measure 1 - Body Mass Index (BMI)
Time frame: At Baseline & 6 Months
Secondary Outcome Health-Related Fitness Measure 2 - Waist Circumference
Time frame: Time Frame: Baseline and 6 months
Secondary Outcome Health-Related Fitness Measure 3 - Cardiovascular Fitness
Time frame: Time Frame: Baseline and 6 months
Secondary Outcome Health-Related Fitness Measure 4 - Upper-Body Strength
Time frame: Time Frame: Baseline and 6 months
Secondary Outcome Health-Related Fitness Measure 5 - Lower-Body Strength
Time frame: Time Frame: Baseline and 6 months
Secondary Outcome Health-Related Fitness Measure 6 - Flexibility
Time frame: Time Frame: Baseline and 6 months
Secondary Outcome Measure: Reflective Processes
Time frame: Time Frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months
Secondary Outcome Measure: Regulatory Processes
Time frame: Time Frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months
Secondary Outcome Measure: Reflexive Processes - Habit Automaticity (Self-Report Habit Index - Automaticity Subscale)
Time frame: Time Frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months
Secondary Outcome Measure: Reflexive Processes - Identity
Time frame: Time Frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months
Social Identity & Prior Identity
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of data collection (Baseline, 6 Weeks, 3 Months & 6 Months & 12 months )
Well-being outcomes
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of data collection (Baseline, 6 Weeks, 3 Months & 6 Months & 12 months)
Subjective norm - Descriptive
Time frame: Time Frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months
Subjective norm - Injunctive
Time frame: Time Frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months
Relatedness
Time frame: Time Frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months
Perceived mental and physical health
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of data collection (Baseline, 6 Weeks, 3 Months & 6 Months & 12 months)
Sociodemographic variables
Time frame: Sociodemographic variables will be collected at baseline
Personality Questionnaire
Time frame: One time ask @ 3 months only
Experience w/Computers
Time frame: One time ask @ Baseline only
Outcome Measure: Home Environment & Home Environment for Physical Activity
Time frame: One time ask @ 6 weeks only
Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA)
Time frame: Participants will complete brief EMA surveys through the Pathverse mobile app for 7 consecutive days at weeks 5, 10, 15, 30, and 45.
System Usability - - Time on Platform
Time frame: Time Frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months
System Usability - Engagement Breadth
Time frame: Time Frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months
System Usability - Engagement Duration
Time frame: Time Frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months
Process Evaluation
Time frame: Process Evaluation will be completed immediately post-intervention (12 months)
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 3 Mar 2026.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Sandy Courtnall L Project Coordinator/Manager, Behavioural Medicine Lab contact
Ryan Rhodes, PhD principal investigator
University of Victoria
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Self Regulation Digital Health Online Platform and Identity Digital Health Online Platform in people with Physical Activity and Health Promotion, run by University of Victoria at 1 site in Canada.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 6 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 3 Mar 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Canada. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Sandy Courtnall L Project Coordinator/Manager, Behavioural Medicine Lab (250 472 5288, bml@uvic.ca), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
MVPA (time frame: From enrollment to the end of data collection (Baseline, 6 Weeks, 3 Months & 6 Months & 12 months )). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 3 Mar 2026.