The goal of this chapter is to provide resources and best practice guidelines for planning interventions with broad application to behaviors of every day living. An overview of the theory and context for why planning is important to behavior change with a focus on current evidence is provided first. Key definitions and research evidence of various planning concepts and techniques: action and preparatory planning, implementations intentions, and coping planning are outlined. Subsequently, instructions are provided for people to formulate effective planning with examples among various relevant prosocial, health, academic, and business behaviors.Finally, current evidence and theory are provided with guidance on the types of planning interventions that may work in specific contexts and conditions, and the moderators that may influence the effectiveness of each approach. Each section includes further details that are provided with worked examples of resources to use based on prior research and various modes of delivery (e.g., face-to-face, website, wearables).

Background Regular physical activity (PA) is associated with many health benefits during childhood, and tracks into desirable PA patterns and health profiles in adulthood. Interventions designed to support these behaviours among young children are critical. Family-based interventions focusing on parent-child activities together (i.e., co-activity) among preschool-aged children are warranted. Targeting parental support practices can increase the frequency of co-activity, however interventions must move beyond merely building intention and planning skills for successful maintenance. Interventions designed to increase co-activity habit strength may facilitate the sustainability and thus impact child PA. The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of three intervention conditions designed to increase child PA through co-activity: a standard education condition (information about benefits), a planning (action planning, coping planning) + education condition and a habit (context-dependent repetition from prompts and cues) + planning +education condition. Methods/design A longitudinal three-arm parallel design randomized trial will compare three conditions over six months. Families are eligible if they have at least one child between 3y and 5y that is not meeting 60mins/day of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). The primary outcome (child MVPA) is assessed via accelerometry at baseline, six weeks, three months and six months (primary endpoint). Intervention materials targeting co-activity are delivered post baseline assessment, with booster sessions at six weeks and three months. Parental co-activity habit, parent-child co-activity and other behavioural constructs are also assessed via questionnaire at all measurement occasions. As tertiary outcomes, parental PA is measured via accelerometry and co-activity is measured via a Bluetooth-enabled proximity feature. A total of 106 families have been recruited thus far from the Greater Victoria region. The study is ongoing with a minimum target of 150 families and an anticipated recruitment completion date of August 2022. Discussion This protocol describes the implementation of a randomized trial evaluating the effectiveness of a habit formation group compared with a planning group and an education only group to increase child PA through targeting parent-child co-activity. This information could prove useful in informing public health initiatives to promote PA among families with preschool-aged children. Trial registration This trial was prospectively registered on clinicaltrials.gov in February 2016, identifier NCT03055871.

No abstract

No abstract

Background: Adult participation in sport is associated with important positive psychosocial outcomes. Despite the multitude of benefits that have been linked to sport participation, adult participation rates in Canada remain low. Parents with young children represent a demographic that may benefit considerably from sport participation, given the prevalence of inactivity coupled with increased levels of psychosocial distress among this group. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of two types of sport participation (individual sport and team sport) on key psychosocial outcomes compared with a "personal time" control condition among parents with young children. Methods/design: The three-arm, parallel design, single-blind, randomized controlled trial will compare a team sport condition, an individual sport condition, and a "personal time" control condition over 3 months. Parents are eligible if they have a child under 13 years of age, are not participating in a sport at baseline, and are not meeting Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines. Psychosocial variables (quality of life, relationship satisfaction, social functioning, parental stress, and enjoyment) will be assessed at baseline, 6 weeks, and 3 months. A total of 161 parents have been recruited thus far from the Greater Victoria region in British Columbia, Canada. The study is ongoing with a target goal of 240 participants and an anticipated completion date of December 2021. Discussion: This protocol describes the implementation of a randomized controlled trial that evaluates the effectiveness of sport participation for increasing positive psychosocial outcomes. This information could prove useful for future adult sport participation and potentially inform public health initiatives involving parents and families. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02898285. Registered 13 September 2016.