Physical Activity Smartphone App for African American Men (FitBros) Ph II

Low physical activity levels contribute to African American men experiencing health disparities across a number of chronic diseases. Studies have been effective in increasing physical activity levels in African American men; but few have targeted maintenance of behavior change and none have utilized emerging technologies. The purpose of the current study is to further develop a mobile phone application for African American men that will help them initiate and maintain their physical activity levels.

Comparative Effectiveness Trial (CET) Inclusion criteria:self-identified African American maleat least 30 years of ageBMI > 18.5 kg/m2 and < 45 kg/m2resting systolic blood pressure # 159 mmHg and a diastolic blood pressure # 99 (to reduce risk of exercise-induced cardiovascular events)free of significant medical problems that would impact their ability to engage in aerobic and/or resistance trainingowns a smartphonesedentary at baseline (not being physically active ≥3 d·wk-1 for 20 min each time for the previous 6 months, not participating in regular resistance exercise, and having an average daily accelerometer step count less than the 50th percentile for age and gender).Comparative Effectiveness Trial (CET) Exclusion criteria:unwilling to give written informed consentconditions that prevent regular exerciseconditions that the medical or principal investigator determine to warrant exclusion