Study protocol of European Fans in Training (EuroFIT): a four-country randomised controlled trial of a lifestyle program for men delivered in elite football clubs

van Nassau, F. et al. (2016) Study protocol of European Fans in Training (EuroFIT): a four-country randomised controlled trial of a lifestyle program for men delivered in elite football clubs. BMC Public Health, 16, 598. (doi: 10.1186/s12889-016-3255-y) (PMID:27430332) (PMCID:PMC4950080)

Abstract

Abstract Background: Lifestyle interventions targeting physical activity, sedentary time and dietary behaviours have the potential to initiate and support behavioural change and result in public health gain. Although men have often been reluctant to engage in such lifestyle programs, many are at high risk of several chronic conditions. We have developed an evidence and theory-based, gender sensitised, health and lifestyle program (European Fans in Training (EuroFIT)), which is designed to attract men through the loyalty they feel to the football club they support. This paper describes the study protocol to evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the EuroFIT program in supporting men to improve their level of physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviour over 12 months. Methods: The EuroFIT study is a pragmatic, two-arm, randomised controlled trial conducted in 15 football clubs in the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal and the UK (England). One-thousand men, aged 30 to 65 years, with a self-reported Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥27 kg/m2 will be recruited and individually randomised. The primary outcomes are objectively-assessed changes in total physical activity (steps per day) and total sedentary time (minutes per day) at 12 months after baseline assessment. Secondary outcomes are weight, BMI, waist circumference, resting systolic and diastolic blood pressure, cardio-metabolic blood biomarkers, food intake, self-reported physical activity and sedentary time, wellbeing, self-esteem, vitality and quality of life. Cost-effectiveness will be assessed and a process evaluation conducted. The EuroFIT program will be delivered over 12 weekly, 90-minute sessions that combine classroom discussion with graded physical activity in the setting of the football club. Classroom sessions provide participants with a toolbox of behaviour change techniques to initiate and sustain long-term lifestyle changes. The coaches will receive two days of training to enable them to create a positive social environment that supports men in engaging in sustained behaviour change. Discussion: The EuroFIT trial will provide evidence on the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the EuroFIT program delivered by football clubs to their male fans, and will offer insight into factors associated with success in making sustained changes to physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and secondary outcomes, such as diet. Trial registration: ISRCTN: 81935608. Registered 16 June 2015. Keywords: Intervention, Randomised controlled trial, Sedentary behaviour, Physical activity, Diet, Long-term behaviour change, Men’s health, Football club, Cardio-metabolic health, Obesity

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Wyke, Professor Sally and Gray, Professor Cindy and Hunt, Professor Kathryn and Gill, Professor Jason and Bunn, Dr Christopher and Martin, Dr Anne and McConnachie, Professor Alex and Macaulay, Dr Lisa and Rooksby, Dr John and Chalmers, Professor Matthew and Rost, Dr Mattias and Sattar, Professor Naveed
• Authors: van Nassau, F., van der Ploeg, H. P., Abrahamsen, F., Andersen, E., Anderson, A. S., Bosmans, J. E., Bunn, C., Chalmers, M., Clissman, C., Gill, J. M.R., Gray, C. M., Hunt, K., Jelsma, J. G.M., La Guardia, J. G., Lemyre, P. N., Loudon, D. W., Macaulay, L., Maxwell, D. J., McConnachie, A., Martin, A., Mourselas, N., Mutrie, N., Nijhuis-van der Sanden, R., O'Brien, K., Pereira, H. V., Philpott, M., Roberts, G. C., Rooksby, J., Rost, M., Røynesdal, Ø., Sattar, N., Silva, M. N., Sørensen, M., Teixeira, P. J., Treweek, S., van Achterberg, T., van der Glind, I., van Mechelen, W., and Wyke, S.
• Subjects: H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General); H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare; R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > MRC/CSO SPHSU; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Robertson Centre; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Social Scientists working in Health and Wellbeing; College of Science and Engineering > School of Computing Science
• Journal Name: BMC Public Health
• Publisher: BioMed Central
• ISSN: 1471-2458
• ISSN (Online): 1471-2458
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2016 The Authors
• First Published: First published in BMC Public Health 16: 598
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
63085	1	EUROFIT: Social innovation to improve physical activity and sedentary behaviour through elite European football	Sally Wyke	European Commission (EC)	602170	SPS - INST. OF HEALTH & WELLBEING