From Blueprint to Practice: An Innovative Dynamic 9-Box Grid Improves Exercise Participation and Aerobic Capacity in Graduate Students

NCT ID: NCT07136818

Last Updated: 2025-08-22

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 30 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2024-10-14
• Study Completion Date: 2025-01-10

Brief Summary

This study aims to develop and validate an innovative dynamic 9-square grid management model to improve aerobic capacity (AC) and physical activity participation among graduate students. The model integrates real-time exercise volume (quantified via smart wearable devices) and aerobic capacity (assessed by 12-minute run tests) into a two-dimensional grid, stratifying participants into five tiers for differentiated interventions.

Using a 2 × 3 mixed-design (feedback frequency: weekly vs. monthly; time points: baseline/mid/post-intervention), 32 healthy graduate students are randomized into two groups:

Weekly feedback (dynamic position updates + tailored optimization strategies).

Monthly feedback (position updates at monthly intervals).

Key components include:

Multimodal assessment: Objective exercise metrics (Huawei Band 6), AC (12-min run), psychological scales (Exercise Identity Scale, Self-Efficacy for Exercise Scale).

Tiered intervention: Customized strategies based on grid positioning (e.g., "Star Talent" optimization vs. "Urgent Attention" support).

Primary outcomes: Changes in AC, total exercise volume (TEV), exercise identity, and self-efficacy.

The study seeks to determine whether weekly dynamic feedback outperforms monthly feedback in sustaining behavioral change and enhancing physiological adaptation. Ethical approval was obtained from Anqing Normal University (AQNU2024110).

Conditions

Improving Low Exercise Engagement; Addressing Sedentary Behaviors; Enhancing Aerobic Capacity; Bridging the Gap Between Exercise Intention and Action

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: PREVENTION
• Blinding Strategy: DOUBLE

Study Groups

Weekly Feedback Group

Dynamic placement in a 9-grid matrix (based on aerobic capacity + total exercise volume) updated weekly.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Dynamic 9-Square Grid Health Management with Weekly Feedback

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

A dual-axis management system categorizing participants into a 3x3 grid based on aerobic capacity (12-min run test) and total exercise volume (smart-device tracked). Includes weekly personalized feedback, tiered exercise prescriptions, and goal recalibration. Arm 1 receives updates every 7 days.

Monthly Feedback Group

Comparison group testing low-frequency feedback.

Group Type: PLACEBO_COMPARATOR

Dynamic 9-Square Grid Health Management with Monthly Feedback

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Identical grid framework as Arm 1 (aerobic capacity + exercise volume assessment), but with monthly (30-day) feedback cycles. Participants receive delayed optimization strategies and tier adjustments once per calendar month, simulating conventional health programs."

Interventions

Dynamic 9-Square Grid Health Management with Weekly Feedback

A dual-axis management system categorizing participants into a 3x3 grid based on aerobic capacity (12-min run test) and total exercise volume (smart-device tracked). Includes weekly personalized feedback, tiered exercise prescriptions, and goal recalibration. Arm 1 receives updates every 7 days.

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Dynamic 9-Square Grid Health Management with Monthly Feedback

Identical grid framework as Arm 1 (aerobic capacity + exercise volume assessment), but with monthly (30-day) feedback cycles. Participants receive delayed optimization strategies and tier adjustments once per calendar month, simulating conventional health programs."

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Graduate students aged between 18 and 30 years.
• Completion of the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q) to confirm readiness for exercise.
• Completion of a sociodemographic questionnaire (including age, gender, and education level).
• Confirmation of absence of exercise contraindications (e.g., conditions that may prevent safe participation in physical activity).
• Confirmation of absence of cardiovascular disease.
• Confirmation of absence of recent lower-limb injuries (occurring within the past 3 months or less).
• Confirmation of absence of chest pain symptoms.
• Ability to provide written informed consent for voluntary participation.

Exclusion Criteria

• Presence of exercise contraindications identified through the PAR-Q or clinical evaluation.
• History or diagnosis of cardiovascular disease (e.g., heart conditions, stroke, or related disorders).
• Recent lower-limb injuries (e.g., fractures, sprains, or surgeries) within the past 3 months.
• Experience of chest pain symptoms (e.g., angina or discomfort during physical exertion).
• Inability to complete the required questionnaires or assessments due to cognitive or language barriers.
• Presence of any uncontrolled chronic condition that could interfere with exercise participation, as determined by the researchers during screening.

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 30 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Hainan Normal University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Locations

Hainan Normal University

Haikou, Hainan, China

Countries

China

Provided Documents

Document Type: Informed Consent Form

View Document

Other Identifiers

21BTY074

Identifier Type: OTHER_GRANT

Identifier Source: secondary_id

AQNU2024110

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id