Study targets physical activity in East Liverpool

A pilot study getting underway in East Liverpool aims to measure the physical activity of city residents, and eventually could lead to finding ways of increasing healthy recreation in the city.

Researchers from Kent State University’s East Liverpool campus are recruiting adult volunteers from the city to take part in the study which could lead to more extensive research related to physical activity in the city.

With the help of a grant from the Grace Lutheran Endowment Fund, the study will be directed by Dr. Lydia Rose, associate professor of sociology at Kent East Liverpool, and Dr. Kele Ding, associate professor of health education and promotion at Kent State University.

Each volunteer, who must be 18 years old and complete a screening survey, will receive a physical activity monitoring watch to wear as they walk, jog or cycle at least three times each week.

The watch is connected to a social networking app that will map out locations people find enjoyable and safe for physical activities. The app will also give participants opportunities to share their experiences and to support each other to remain physically active.

The online tools can be used with smartphones, tablets, or computers.

Additionally, participants in the study will provide feedback to the researchers through online focus groups to be conducted through a Zoom video conference session. The researchers will use the date to test the feasibility of data collection as well as data analysis.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, participants will be asked to maintain social distances and to wear masks when around others. Rose and Ding adjusted the study to include measures to keep participants safe and to help prevent anyone from contracting or spreading the virus.

Those interested in participating in the study can email Rose at Lrose17@kent.edu, and use "Pilot Study" in the subject line.

This pilot study will provide preliminary data for a much larger research project proposal to be submitted to the National Institute of Health (NIH).

The Kent State researchers are partnering with Carol Cowan and the East Liverpool Health District for the NIH grant to develop an intervention to increase physical activity.

In addition to using monitoring devices to track physical activities, participants will utilize an online social network to provide motivation and inspiration to meet healthy levels of physical activity.

The researchers will focus on cycling and community involvement to develop activities and routes through downtown.

The research team will work with city officials to make sure the environment is safe for cycling and community level activities and will seek funding for city bikes.

All community level activities will meet the safety standards for both cycling and mitigating the spread of COVID-19. If the NIH study is funded, the researchers will reach out to local businesses to develop ways to participate in the study.