Keep on running – a randomized controlled trial to test a digital evidence-based intervention for sustained adoption of recreational running: rationale, design and pilot feasibility study

BACKGROUND: This paper describes the rationale, intervention development, study design and results from the pilot feasibility study of the Keep On Running (KOR) trial. KOR aims to test a web-based brief theory-based intervention, targeting maintenance of recreational running behavior over time (i.e. relapse preventing). METHODS: Intervention development was based both on Self-Determination Theory and on Self-Regulation Theory. As part of it, a pilot study was implemented (n=18) to measure intervention adherence and participant satisfaction in order to establish the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention toolkit. Furthermore, this pilot study was also used to test the feasibility and acceptability of the questionnaires selected to be part of the later RCT. RESULTS: Pilot intervention acceptability was good, but overall adherence was low. Features such as feedback and social sharing should be added to the toolkit. The main trial should lessen questionnaire length and include data from usual monitoring gadgets and apps (APIs). The protocol of the RCT was adjusted to test the efficacy of the refined final version of the intervention, and the RCT that will test it, contributing to the understanding of recreational running sustainability, allowing the optimization of future interventions aimed at physical activity promotion.