A multi-component, community-based outdoor gym intervention: the ecofit effectiveness trial

Introduction: In Australia, it is estimated that 45% of adults meet the aerobic training recommendations (i.e., 150-300 minutes of MVPA) and only 9-30% meet the resistance training (RT) guidelines (i.e., minimum 2 sessions/week). Given the lack of ‘scalable’ physical activity community-based interventions promoting RT, the aim of this effectiveness trial (based on the published ecofit efficacy trial) was to determine the effects of an innovative community-based multicomponent physical activity intervention promoting resistance and aerobic-based physical activity using outdoor gym equipment, smartphone technology, and social support. Methods: The ecofit effectiveness trial was evaluated using a two-arm (intervention versus wait-list control) randomised controlled design, with assessments at baseline, 3 (primary time-point) and 9-months (follow-up). Participants were recruited from the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie local government areas, NSW. Eligible participants were aged 18-80 years, had access to a smartphone, did not meet the aerobic and/or resistance-based physical activity guidelines, and passed the Adult Pre-Exercise Screening Tool. The intervention components included (i) smartphone technology (i.e., purpose-built application that included standardised workouts using local outdoor gym equipment across 11 locations), (ii) social support (i.e., option to enrol as a group and join the ecofit Facebook group), and (iii) a 90-minute introductory session. Linear mixed models were conducted with an adjusted alpha (p