Author(s): SCHOLL, M., LENDT, C., APPELBAUM, S., FRANK, F., HANSEN, N., KÜPPERS, L., PILIC, L., REDAÈLLI, M., ÜNLÜ, N., VITINIUS, F., WILM, S., KONERDING, U., Institution: GERMAN SPORTS UNIVERSITY COLOGNE, Country: GERMANY, Abstract-ID: 1587

INTRODUCTION:
Peer support is a promising approach to promote physical activity. However, evidence on its effects largely relies on self-reported data. In this study, objective measures were used to assess the effects of peer support on physical activity among individuals with type 2 diabetes and/or coronary heart disease in Germany.
METHODS:
Participants were selected from 1002 individuals included in the main general practice-based RCT for P-SUP (2019-2024) [1] using stratified random sampling ensuring an equal distribution across the two study conditions as in the main RCT. Physical activity was assessed for seven consecutive days prior to the start of the intervention (T0), after six months (T1), and after twelve months (T2) using a hip-worn accelerometer (ActiGraph models GT3X+ and wGT3X-BT). Data were considered valid if the accelerometer was worn for at least 10 hours on at least two weekdays and one weekend day. Time spent in moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) was derived from Euclidean norm minus one using established thresholds [2]. Changes in MVPA from baseline were analysed among participants who provided valid data for all three measurement intervals using a mixed ANOVA with time as within- and study condition as between-subject factor.
RESULTS:
At T0, 143 participants received an accelerometer (67 intervention, 76 control), of whom 48 (21 intervention, 27 control; mean age 65 years, SD=9; 54% women) provided valid data across all three measurements. At T0, weekly MVPA averaged 129 minutes (SD=124) in the intervention group (IG) and 145 minutes (SD=132) in the control group (CG). At T1, MVPA changed by +43 minutes/week (SD=154) in the IG and -16 minutes/week (SD=94) in the CG, with T2 values in both groups being equal to baseline. Inferential analyses revealed no significant effects for time (F(1,46)=0.70, p=.407), study condition (F(1,46)=1.14, p=.292), or interaction between time and study condition (F(1,46)=2.62, p=.112).
CONCLUSION:
Descriptive analyses suggest a more favourable short-term change in the intervention group compared with the control group. However, there were no statistically significant effects. This might be due to the small sample size, indicating the need for larger samples in future studies.

References:
[1] Konerding, U., Redaèlli, M., Ackermann, K., Altin, S., Appelbaum, S., Biallas, B., ... & Stock, S. (2021). A pragmatic randomised controlled trial referring to a Personalised Self-management SUPport Programme (P-SUP) for persons enrolled in a disease management programme for type 2 diabetes mellitus and/or for coronary heart disease. Trials, 22, 1-17.
[2] Hildebrand, M., Van Hees, V. T., Hansen, B. H., & Ekelund, U. (2014). Age Group Comparability of Raw Accelerometer Output from Wrist- and Hip-Worn Monitors. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 46(9), 1816–1824. https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0000000000000289