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
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.
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.
Publisert i BMC Public Health, 2016
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