PHYSICAL INACTIVITY

This study tested two mobile apps for parents of children aged 2 to 5. One app focused on nutrition, physical activity, and sleep; the other on reading. Researchers wanted to see if the apps could help parents encourage healthier habits and lower obesity risk. Over 200 parents in…

This study compared 8 weeks of regular ExerCube exergame training to moderate-intensity endurance exercise in 43 healthy adults. The goal was to see if the fun, game-based workout could improve fitness and blood pressure similarly to standard exercise. Participants trained three …

This study tested a program designed to help women with type 2 diabetes become more physically active. 86 women aged 30-65 took part. The program included a video, a pamphlet, and regular check-ins to encourage exercise. The goal was to see if this approach could increase daily a…

This study tested a weight management program for young adult cancer survivors (ages 18-39) who have obesity and are within 5 years of finishing cancer treatment. The program combined healthy eating, physical activity, and symptom management to help reduce cardiovascular disease …

This study tested whether daily text messages with specific behavior change techniques could help sedentary adults at risk for cardiovascular disease walk an extra 1,000 steps per day. Over 600 participants received messages focused on goal setting, action planning, self-monitori…

This study looked at whether giving liver transplant patients simple exercise guides—either a brochure or a video—could help them be more active, feel less tired, and reduce the burden on their caregivers. Over 100 adults who had a liver transplant were split into three groups: o…

This study tested whether an online family skills training program is practical and well-liked for Black adults trying to lose weight. 21 participants joined with a family member. The program focused on healthy eating and activity habits.

This study tested a mobile app called Family Fit, paired with a Fitbit, to see if it could help families become more active and prevent weight gain. Thirty parent-child pairs (children ages 9-12) used the app for 12 weeks. The main goal was to see if families found the app easy a…

This study tested a 1-year online program designed to help adults aged 40-70 who are at risk for heart disease become more physically active. Participants either received a fitness tracker plus online coaching and goal-setting sessions, or just a fitness tracker with standard act…

This study tested a program to help children aged 6-11 maintain a healthy weight and feel good. Over 1,300 kids from 24 Danish schools took part. The program included changes at school and in the community to encourage healthy eating, more physical activity, better sleep, and les…

This small study tested whether a 6-week remote occupational therapy program could help older adults living in affordable senior housing become more physically active and manage pain. Six residents took part in individual and group sessions led by an occupational therapist over v…

This study looked at whether a 16-week brisk walking program, combined with dietary advice, could improve heart rate control and blood vessel health in adults with early-stage cirrhosis (liver scarring). Fifty participants aged 45-75 who were not very active took part. The goal w…

This completed trial tested whether brief, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity sessions combined with health education could increase exercise in stroke survivors. 36 adults aged 50 and older who had a stroke and lived at home took part. Participants wore an accelerometer to t…

This study tested a 12-week exercise program called Vivifrail in 80 elderly residents of long-term care facilities. Participants did physical training five times a week for about an hour. Researchers measured changes in physical performance, fall risk, grip strength, and overall …

This study tested whether a 12-week online dance program is practical and enjoyable for young adults with Down Syndrome. Twenty participants joined two 35-minute group dance sessions each week. Researchers measured attendance, safety, and changes in fitness and thinking skills. T…

This study tested whether short 'activity snippets' — simple physical exercises integrated into the workday — could help bus and tram drivers sit less and move more. Seventy drivers from a German transit company were split into two groups: one received standard physical activity …

This study tested whether an Apple Watch paired with a special app and weekly health coaching could help dementia caregivers improve their sleep and mood. Twenty-one caregivers wore the watch to track their activity and sleep, and received personalized feedback and motivational c…

This study looked at whether different music frequencies played during yoga-based exercises could improve physical performance and thinking skills in inactive young adults aged 18-35. Thirty healthy but inactive participants did exercises with no music, low-frequency music, or hi…

This study tested a 6-week program called T-VIDA, where seniors in a housing community met with an occupational therapist via Zoom and joined group sessions to increase physical activity. The program also involved respected community members to encourage participation. With only …

This completed study looked at how two types of aerobic exercise—loaded step-ups and treadmill running—affect heart fitness, leg strength, and recovery in 36 sedentary men aged 18-40. Participants exercised three times a week for six weeks at a high heart rate zone. The goal was …

This study tested whether social prescribing link workers can help people become more physically active and improve their wellbeing. 30 adults who were referred to a link worker took part. The study was a pilot, meaning it mainly checked if the research methods work for a future …

This study looked at whether adding walking trails, maps, and a phone-based coaching program could help people living in public housing become more physically active. Over 500 residents from 12 Boston housing developments took part. The goal was to see if these changes helped peo…

This study looked at whether virtual reality (VR) exercise is better than traditional exercise for improving focus, reaction time, balance, and flexibility in people who don't move much. 33 sedentary adults were split into VR exercise, traditional exercise, or no exercise groups …

This study examines a Danish law requiring public schools to include 45 minutes of physical activity each day. Researchers measured activity levels and BMI in over 5,000 children before and after the policy took effect. The goal is to see if the mandate actually boosts movement a…

This study tested a program called Free Time for Wellness (FT4W) designed to help low-income mothers in New York City become more physically active. 89 mothers with young children took part. The program aimed to overcome barriers like lack of time and resources by offering suppor…

This completed pilot study tested whether a 3-month exercise training program could improve blood pressure and perceptions in 6 adults aged 35-55 living in Buffalo. The goal was to understand how physical activity might interact with air pollution exposure. Because it is very sma…

This completed study looked at how leg muscles work during walking in 500 people who had a stroke. The goal was to understand muscle patterns, test how well current measurement methods work, and find early signs that predict walking recovery. The results could help doctors create…

This study looked at whether a special audit and feedback tool could help elementary schools in Oakland follow physical education laws better. The goal was to increase students' physical activity and reduce health inequalities. Researchers worked with 35 schools that serve mostly…

This completed study in Spain looked at 821 first-year university students to see how their physical activity and sitting habits relate to obesity and muscle health risks. Researchers used questionnaires to measure activity levels and sitting time, and body mass index (BMI) to cl…

This study tested whether a physical activity program designed specifically for older Chinese adults living in the UK is practical and acceptable. Thirty participants aged 60+ were randomly assigned to either receive culturally tailored materials, workshops, and social media supp…

This study tested whether a 120-second percussive therapy session on the hamstring muscles could improve flexibility, balance, and jump performance in 60 males aged 15-19. Half were licensed U19 football players, and half were sedentary healthy teens. Researchers measured changes…

This study looked at whether a flexible, adaptive program can help children ages 8 to 12 stick to a home exercise routine. About 38 kids and their parents took part in a 60-day program where exercise videos and support were adjusted based on each child's progress. The goal was to…

This study looked at whether activity sensors can be easily used in hospitals to track how much patients move. 19 hospitalized adults who could walk but were on bed rest wore the sensors. Researchers measured how much extra time staff needed to use the sensors and how comfortable…

This completed study looked at 66 teens aged 10-19 with high blood pressure to find out what stops them from being physically active. Researchers used three surveys to measure barriers, expectations, and home environment. The goal is to use this information to create better suppo…

This study looked at whether personalized plans and email reminders can help inactive adults start a weekday outdoor walking routine. About 150 people who walk fewer than 5,000 steps a day joined. Some got just the plan and emails, others also got coaching replies, and a control …

This study tested a website called RecTech Match, combined with health coaching calls, to help people with physical disabilities find and engage in physical activities. Seven adults with mobility-limiting disabilities participated. Researchers measured physical activity levels, b…