Leveraging youth sports practices to increase physical activity among racial and ethnic minority mothers

Project Summary Women with racial and ethnic minority identities, specifically Hispanic and Black women exhibit suboptimal physical activity-related behaviors and are disproportionately burdened by obesity and physical-activity related chronic diseases. Mothers often report too many responsibilities and prioritizing their children’s needs and

extracurricular activities as barriers to engaging in more physical activity. The proposed study builds on our team’s previous work adapting an evidence-based theory guided physical activity intervention and pilot testing it in a community setting mothers regularly spend time for their children’s extracurricular activities,

circumventing this barrier. This innovative intervention, named Moms on the Move, is the first of its kind and additionally circumvents access, transportation, and childcare barriers, which are also commonly cited, especially by low-income and racial and ethnic minority mothers. Given results from our pilot study

demonstrating feasibility and acceptability, we aim to conduct a fully powered cluster randomized trial with a waitlist control of the Moms on the Move intervention. We will partner with eight youth football and cheerleading organiza�ons that predominantly serve low-income Hispanic and Black families to carry out the

study. Our primary aim is to test the efficacy of the intervention for increasing moderate to vigorous physical activity. We will also test the efficacy of the intervention for physical activity maintenance and examine mediators and moderators of efficacy as exploratory aims. If found to be effective in increasing physical activity,

the intervention has the potential for widespread dissemination. This study, along with the diversity statement and Plan for Enhancing Diverse Perspectives (PEDP) demonstrate the PI’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA).