Table 1 The RUFIT-NZ program (Auckland and Dunedin) compared with the FFIT program
RUFIT-NZ | FFIT | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Auckland | Dunedin | Scotland | |
PARTICIPANTS | |||
Overall goal of program | Improve health through lifestyle changes | Improve health through lifestyle changes | Getting fitter, losing weight and feeling better |
Inclusion/exclusion criteria | Age = 25–65 years BMI = ≥25 kg/m2 Completed PAR-Qa Not meeting PA guidelines Provided informed consent | Age = 25–65 years BMI = ≥25 kg/m2 Completed PAR-Qa Not meeting PA guidelines Provided informed consent | Age = 35–65 years BMI = ≥28 kg/m2 Completed PAR-Qb Provided informed consent Men with systolic BP ≥160 mmHg or diastolic BP ≥100 mmHg excluded from intense PA until evidence provided of reduction in BP. |
Maximum no. of men in group | N = 20 | N = 30 (maximum of 12–13 per group) | N = 30 (with a maximum coach: participant ratio of 1:15) |
INTERVENTION | |||
Intensity | |||
No. of sessions | 24 sessions (1 x PA session and 1 x PA + classroom session per weekc) | 12 sessions (1 x PA session + classroom session per weekc) | 12 sessions (1 x PA + classroom session per week) |
Duration of sessions | 90 min for both physical and classroom sessions (Total 30 h over 12 weeks) | 120–150 min (Total 24-30 h over 12 weeks) | 90 min (Total 18 h over 12 weeks) |
Content | |||
Classroom | |||
☐ Introduction from trainer/coach | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
☐ Getting to know one another | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
☐ Health benefits of weight loss | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
☐ Nutrition | |||
○ Inclusion of partners to nutrition session | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
○ Energy balance | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
○ Food choices | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
○ Food groups | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
○ Healthy eating plans | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
○ Food labels | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
○ Eating out | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
○ Food diaries | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
○ Mindful eating | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
○ Sugary drinks | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
☐ Alcohol | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
☐ BCTs (see Table 2) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
☐ Health benefits of PA | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
☐ Sleep | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
☐ Sedentary behavior/screen use | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
☐ Myth busting | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
☐ Long-term maintenance | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Physical activity | |||
☐ Component 1: Pedometers | Incremental pedometer-based daily walking program | Incremental pedometer-based daily walking program | Incremental pedometer-based daily walking program |
☐ Component 2: PA sessions | Gym-based and field-side sessions. First 4 weeks predominantly aerobic, off-feet training and body weight exercises, second 4 weeks introduce external loads and increase running volume, last 4 weeks introduce strength, aerobic, and anaerobic conditioning. | Gym-based and field-side sessions. First 4 weeks predominantly aerobic, off-feet training and body weight exercises, second 4 weeks introduce external loads and increase running volume, last 4 weeks introduce strength, aerobic, and anaerobic conditioning. | Pitch-side/in-stadia PA sessions, with men trained to work at their own optimal level of intensity as assessed by the Rate of Perceived Exertion Scale. |
Delivery | |||
Staff | Club trainer, club doctor, club nutritionist, and community nutrition group (no formal training given) | Community coach, club doctor, club nutritionist, and community dietician (no formal training given) | Trained community coaching staff |
Delivery of classroom sessions | |||
☐ Power point presentations | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
☐ Supportive group environment | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
☐ Sharing of experiences | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
☐ Interactive problem solving | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
☐ Repeated practice of BCTs | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
☐ Coaches available at end of each session | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Balance of PA and classroom sessions | PA and classroom sessions balanced throughout the program | PA and classroom sessions balanced throughout the program | Balance of PA and classroom sessions changed throughout the program (later weeks focused more on PA with shorter classroom sessions) |
MAINTENANCE | None as only a pilot trial of 12 weeks duration | None as only a pilot trial of 12 weeks duration | ‘Light touch’ weight maintenance phase = 6 post-program email prompts over 9 months and a group reunion at 6 months |