Physical Activity and Social Engagement for Persons With Disabilities in an Underserved Community

Physical Activity and Social Engagement Program for Persons With Disabilities and Chronic Health Conditions in an Underserved Birmingham Community

Using a community-based participatory approach, this project aims to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of two technology-driven group activity programs on socioemotional health and physical activity in a local underserved community, Tarrant, Alabama. Participants will complete two six-week programs, specifically Lakeshore Online Fitness (Online) and Get Active with Virtual Reality (VR).

This project will utilize a cross-over randomized design where participants will initially be randomized into either the Online or VR intervention group. After completing the initial six weeks of the assigned intervention, participants will cross over and complete six weeks of the other intervention. No washout period is included due to several reasons, including no known washout period for certain socioemotional outcomes have been established by prior literature, ethical concerns in requiring return to baseline levels during washout, and a prolonged washout period would negatively impact participant adherence and retention to the study. Psychosocial metrics will be collected at the end of each activity session through surveys.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Resident of Tarrant, Alabama
• 18 years or older with a physical disability or chronic health condition or older than 60 years
• Fluent in English

Exclusion Criteria:

• Visual impairment that interferes with television viewing