Wheelchair User Physical Activity Training Intervention to Enhance Cardiometabolic Health (WATCH): A Community-based Randomized Control Trial
Washington University School of Medicine
Summary
The goal of the study is to improve cardiometabolic health outcomes for wheelchair users and identify strategies for achieving sufficient physical activity intensity during bouts of structured physical activity.
Description
Wheelchair users have a higher risk for obesity and cardiometabolic health-related diseases compared to persons without a disability and remain one of the most sedentary populations in the United States. Engaging wheelchair users in physical activity levels following the current recommendations to achieve cardiometabolic health-related changes requires tailoring and supports in an accessible community environment, but it is unclear if a community-based physical activity intervention that also prioritizes intensity levels is best to improve cardiometabolic health. This project will determine th…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18 years or older * Has a physical disability requiring the use of a wheelchair (includes manual wheelchairs, motorized wheelchairs, motor-assisted wheelchairs, and electric scooters) * Ability to attend weekly exercise sessions in person * Ability to independently move one or both upper extremities * Has participated in no more than 60 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week in the past month * English-speaking * Able to provide informed consent * Ability to complete a valid V02max score with 2 attempts Exclusion Criteria: * Determination by their…
Interventions
- BehavioralIntensity-controlled physical activity training (IPAT)
The IPAT group will receive 40 (90 minute) one-on-one, intensity-controlled, exercise sessions by trained staff over 14 weeks. The initial 2-week period will include dedicated education on topics including physical activity guidelines and the benefits of achieving them, the feeling of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity intensity levels, and the appropriate exercises for achieving desired intensity levels. Tailored sessions will be created for each participant based on their physical fitness, goals, preferred exercise equipment and results from their baseline assessment. Each session can include vitals, pain assessment, warm-up, aerobic training, strength exercises and a cool-down. The participants will be monitored to ensure they are achieving at least 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity weekly. Heart rate and actigraphy monitors will be worn during sessions to capture exercise intensity data. The overall goal is to improve cardiorespiratory fitness.
- BehavioralEducation and Access (EA)
The EA group will receive an initial 60 minute educational session, during which they will receive information on the adapted exercise equipment in the Orthwein Center, education on the physical activity guidelines and the health benefits of achieving them, and access to the Orthwein Center accessible gym. They will then complete a 14-week independent workout program with the goal of meeting physical activities guidelines. They will have access to Orthwein Center staff to help with minimal setup and guidance, but sessions will be self-directed. Heart rate and actigraphy monitors will be worn during sessions to capture exercise intensity data. Participants will be asked to complete a log for each session to report pain, details of the activities they completed during their workout, the RPE for each activity, and how long each activity lasted.
Location
- Washington University School of MedicineSt Louis, Missouri