Hockey Fans in Training (Hockey FIT): A Pilot Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial

Hockey Fans in Training (Hockey FIT): A Pilot Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial of an Exercise and Healthy Living Program for Middle-aged, Overweight and Obese Men

The Hockey Fans in Training (Hockey FIT) program aims to improve overweight men's physical fitness, eating habits and health-related lifestyle choices through a lifestyle modification program in collaboration with two Ontario Hockey League teams. In this pilot pragmatic randomized controlled trial, the investigators plan to explore the potential for Hockey FIT to reduce a clinically important amount of weight, increase physical activity levels, and lead to improvements in other health-related outcomes.

In the United Kingdom, the Football Fans in Training (FFIT) program was developed to encourage men to lead a healthier lifestyle through a sport-related medium. FFIT is a gender-sensitized, weight loss and healthy living program developed for delivery to overweight and obese men through professional football clubs. Published results from FFIT show that the program was able to actively recruit and engage men and for the men who participated, sustained weight loss and positive lifestyle change was observed (Hunt et al., 2014). This study will use a two-arm, pilot pragmatic randomized controlled trial (RCT) design. The investigators will conduct the study in conjunction with two Ontario Junior A Hockey Clubs. Following assessment of eligibility and baseline measurements, men will be individually randomized (1:1; stratified by club) to either the intervention group (receiving the Hockey FIT program) or to the comparison group (usual care wait-list control). The comparison group will be offered to start the Hockey FIT program after a 12-week delay. All men (both intervention and comparison groups) will receive publicly available healthy eating and physical activity materials at baseline. Measurements will be taken at baseline and 12 weeks (both groups) and again at 12 months (intervention group only). The results of this study will be used to inform a fully-powered RCT where the primary objective will be to determine whether, compared to the usual care wait-list control group, the Hockey FIT group will lose weight (at least 5% weight loss from baseline) at 12 months.

Chronic Disease, Lifestyle Intervention, Health Promotion, Sport Mentorship, Men, Health Technology, Prevention, Exercise, Diet

12-week active phase - exercise and healthy living program (1x/week; 90 minutes/session); 40-week maintenance phase (individualized approach)

Active phase: a) Classroom-based education on successful weight management strategies and instruction on behaviour change techniques/dietary interventions; promote peer and other forms of social support; and b) Physical activity sessions in aerobic/strength/flexibility exercises. Maintenance phase: Participants independently set new lifestyle prescriptions and goals and track their exercise, physical activity, and healthy eating with the support of a suite of free-of-charge health technology support tools

Height will be measured with a portable stadiometer; weight will be measured with a digital weight scale

Inclusion Criteria: Objectively-measured body-mass index of at least 28 kg/m2 Clear Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q) (i.e., either by answering "No" to all questions or receiving clearance from a health care provider) Exclusion Criteria: Unable to comprehend letter of information and consent documentation

Blunt W, Gill DP, Sibbald SL, Riggin B, Pulford RW, Scott R, Danylchuk K, Gray CM, Wyke S, Bunn C, Petrella RJ. Optimization of the Hockey Fans in Training (Hockey FIT) weight loss and healthy lifestyle program for male hockey fans. BMC Public Health. 2017 Nov 28;17(1):916. doi: 10.1186/s12889-017-4926-z.

Gill DP, Blunt W, De Cruz A, Riggin B, Hunt K, Zou G, Sibbald S, Danylchuk K, Zwarenstein M, Gray CM, Wyke S, Bunn C, Petrella RJ. Hockey Fans in Training (Hockey FIT) pilot study protocol: a gender-sensitized weight loss and healthy lifestyle program for overweight and obese male hockey fans. BMC Public Health. 2016 Oct 19;16(1):1096. doi: 10.1186/s12889-016-3730-5.