Promoting Recreation Time among Individuals Incarcerated in Jail

PROJECT SUMMARY More than 9 million Americans are incarcerated in jail each year. Of these individuals, 60% are racial/ethnic minorities and are from socioeconomic disadvantaged populations. Among individuals incarcerated in a rural, county jail, there are high rates of anxiety, hypertension, and poor sleep quality while incarcerated. Physical

activity (PA) can mitigate these outcomes and be immediate. A single bout of moderate-to-vigorous PA improves anxiety symptoms, decreases blood pressure, and improves sleep on the day it is performed. Despite these benefits, over 75% of individuals incarcerated in jail do not attend recreation time (rec-time), a structured time

dedicated for PA. Of those who attended rec-time, over half were sedentary and no interventions have been conducted in the jail setting to promote PA. The scientific objective of the proposed research is to develop and test the feasibility and preliminary impact of a robust physical activity program among individuals while

incarcerated in jail. We hypothesize that individuals residing in housing units assigned to the intervention arm will have higher rec-time attendance, PA levels, self-efficacy, expectations and values of PA, perceived behavior of others, sleep quality, as well as lower stress, anxiety, and depression symptoms as compared to individuals

residing in housing units assigned to the control arm. We will identify essential theoretical constructs of Social Cognitive Theory (SCT, i.e., self-efficacy, social support, self-regulation, behavioral capability, outcome expectations, environment), as well as behavioral and cultural attributes of PA among individuals incarcerated

to enhance the cultural relevance and effectiveness of a PA program through focus groups and key informant interviews. From formative research, input from jail administration on feasibility of implementation, and involvement from individuals incarcerated on acceptability, we will develop a robust PA program to promote rec-

time attendance and increase PA among individuals incarcerated. Once developed, we will determine feasibility preliminary impact of a PA program using a two-armed clustered randomized control trial to randomize 18 housing units to either an intervention or control arm. Study outcomes include rec-time attendance, PA levels at

rec-time, self-efficacy, expectations and values of PA, perceived behavior of others, sleep quality, stress, anxiety, and depression. The potential individual gains from even one bout of PA are substantial. Providing individuals opportunities to attend and be physically active during rec-time may improve health conditions in correctional

institutions. This research plan is complemented by a training plan that builds on the applicant’s background in epidemiology that includes new training in (1) qualitative and mixed methods, (2) intervention development, implementation, and evaluation, and (3) clinical trials. The combined research and training plans will prepare the

applicant for a successful, independent research career focused on identifying approaches to promote PA and reduce related health disparities among incarcerated populations.