Process evaluation of the Hockey Fans in Training lifestyle intervention (for men with overweight or obesity).

Dawn P Gill, Brendan Riggin, Brooke Bliss, Jennifer D Irwin, Robert J Petrella, Wendy M Blunt, Marisa L Kfrerer, Katie J Shillington

Journal: Translational behavioral medicine 2025;15(1):

PMID: 39963751

Free Full Text on PubMed Central View on PubMed

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Despite the proven relationship between lifestyle and morbidity and mortality, rates of chronic disease (e.g. obesity) continue to rise in paradox to the myriad of studies supporting lifestyle behaviour change. Men have been less likely to seek out preventative care or lifestyle programs, putting them at risk. In response, Hockey Fans In Training (Hockey FIT) was developed as a group-based, lifestyle intervention leveraging the draw of hockey fandom to engage middle-aged men with overweight or obesity in lifestyle change. Encouraging pilot study results informed the optimization and delivery of the intervention through a cluster randomized controlled trial in 42 sites in Canada and the USA.

METHODS

A process evaluation was conducted to evaluate intervention acceptability and fidelity and adaptations. Community-based sites were randomly allocated to Hockey FIT intervention (immediate program start) or wait-list control (12-month delay). Qualitative process evaluation data were collected from intervention sites and included seven virtual participant focus groups and one interview (n = 35 participants), open-ended participant feedback questionnaires (n = 316), interviews with program coaches (n = 22), post-session coach reflections (n = 233), and interviews with implementation partners (n = 16). A process of content analysis by question was performed and data saturation was reached.

RESULTS

Themes fell into the following categories: (i) motivations for joining Hockey FIT; (ii) effective program components; and (iii) adaptations and suggested improvements.

CONCLUSIONS

The process evaluation detailed success engaging men in lifestyle change using sport fandom, and the importance of capitalizing further on competition within groups to drive behavioural change through user-friendly supports and greater engagement with hockey.

CLINICAL TRIAL INFORMATION

ClinicalTrials.gov. ID: NCT03636282.

Address: Centre for Studies in Family Medicine, Department of Family Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, N6G 2M1, Canada.; Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, N6A 3K7, Canada.; Department of Neurobiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.; Center for Empathy and Social Justice in Human Health, T. Denny Sanford Institute for Empathy and Compassion, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.; Centre for Studies in Family Medicine, Department of Family Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, N6G 2M1, Canada.; Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies, Faculty of Heath, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3G1, Canada.; Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, N6A 3K7, Canada.; School of Health Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.; Centre for Studies in Family Medicine, Department of Family Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, N6G 2M1, Canada.; Department of Family Practice, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.; The Bone and Joint Institute, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, N6A 3K7, Canada.; School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Education, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z1, Canada.

DOI: 10.1093/tbm/ibaf002

Link outs

Free resources

Full Text Sources:

Medical:

Subscription / membership required

Full Text Sources:

https://academic.oup.com/tbm/article-lookup/doi/10...

MeSH Terms: Adult, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Canada, Hockey, Life Style, Obesity, Overweight, Pilot Projects, Risk Reduction Behavior, United States