JC FAMILY Project: Development and feasibility of a pilot trial of a 15-minute Zero-time exercise community-based intervention to reduce sedentary behaviour and enhance physical activity and family communication in older people

Objectives: We developed and tested a very brief Zero-time exercise (ZTEx) community-based intervention to reduce sedentary behaviour and enhance physical activity and family communication in older people. ZTEx uses a foot-in-the-door approach to integrate simple strengthand stamina-enhancing physical activity into daily life at anytime, anywhere, and by anybody. Methods: A 15-minute ZTEx intervention mini workshop with demonstrations by interventionists and practice by participants was conducted in each of the 18 districts in Hong Kong for a total of 556 public housing estate residents from 2015 to 2016. 141 participants (87% female, 73% aged ≥ 50 years) completed the evaluation. Primary outcome: intention to increase physical activity. Secondary outcomes: perceived knowledge, attitude (intention and self-efficacy) and practice regarding simple strengthand stamina-enhancing physical activity (i.e. ZTEx), days spent engaged in >= 10-minute moderate or vigorous physical activities and family communication (encouraging and engaging family members in ZTEx), and sitting time. Results: Participants were enthusiastic and enjoyed the workshops. Perceived knowledge and attitude regarding sedentary behaviour, ZTEx, and family communication significantly increased immediately after the workshops (Cohen’s d = 0.20 to 0.30, all p < 0.05). At the 2-week follow-up, doing ZTEx and encouraging family members to do ZTEx significantly increased by 0.7 days and 0.4 days (Cohen’s d = 0.18 and 0.26, p < 0.05) respectively. Conclusion: Our findings show early evidence that a brief ZTEx community-based intervention is an innovative, enjoyable and effective approach to improve perceived knowledge, attitude, practice, and family communication regarding simple strengthand stamina-enhancing physical activity in older people.