Promoting Structured Physical Activity among Individuals Incarcerated in Jail

Modified Project Summary/Abstract Section
Over the past 40 years, incarceration in the US has increased. More than 9 million Americans are incarcerated in jail (facilities housing individuals awaiting trial and serving short sentences) each year. Of these individuals, most are racial and ethnic minorities and have low socioeconomic status. 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 yard time, a structured time dedicated for PA, outside. Of those who attended yard time, over half were sedentary and no interventions have been conducted during yard time to promote PA. The scientific objective of the proposed research is to develop and test the feasibility and preliminary impact of a structured physical activity program among individuals while incarcerated in jail. We hypothesize that there will be higher yard time attendance, PA levels during yard time, self-efficacy, expectations and values of PA, perceived behavior of others, sleep quality, as well as lower stress, anxiety, and depression symptoms when a structured PA program is offered during yard time compared to no structured PA program. 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 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 yard time attendance and increase PA among individuals incarcerated. Once developed, we will determine feasibility and preliminary impact of the PA program using a pre-post intervention design. Study outcomes include yard time attendance, PA levels at yard 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 yard 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.

Grant Number: 5K01MD015749-05
NIH Institute/Center: NIH
Principal Investigator: Ricky Camplain