Reframing Retirement: An Examination of Identity Change and Self-Regulation Approaches to Promote Physical Activity

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 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.

Conditions

• Physical Activity
• Health Promotion

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Self Regulation Digital Health Online Platform

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.

BEHAVIORAL

Identity Digital Health Online Platform

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

BEHAVIORAL

Control Digital Health Online Platform

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).

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Victoria

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Ryan Rhodes, PhD · University of Victoria

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

60 Years

Max Age

70 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-03-01

Primary Completion

2030-03-31

Completion

2030-03-31

Countries

• Canada

Study Locations