Effects of the Rugby Fans in Training (RuFIT) study, a healthy lifestyle programme run through professional New Zealand rugby clubs, on bodyweight in men aged 25-65 years.

INTERVENTION: This study will investigate the feasibility of implementing the RuFIT programme in overweight New Zealand males. RuFIT has been modified from the Scottish Football Fans in Training (FFIT) programme, and is a healthy lifestyle programme delivered through professional rugby clubs and designed to help men make healthier lifestyle choices to reduce their bodyweight and improve their health. The 12‐week intervention consists of twice weekly sessions which will be run at the rugby club (The Blues in Auckland and the Highlanders in Otago). Participants will receive training and fitness advice from the club trainers, in addition to education sessions on goal setting, lifestyle medicine, nutrition, physical activity, sleep, sedentary behaviour, and long‐term maintenance of sustaining a healthier lifestyle. Participants will attend two 75‐mintue sessions per week (one during the weekend and one during the working week). The weekend session will consist of an education session followed by a physical activity session, while the session during the working week will consist of a physical activity session only. The education sessions will be run in an informal setting, where the participants will sit in a circle and have the opportunity to discuss the content of the presentation as a group. At the end of each education session, participants will make a goal that is relevant to the content that was delivered during the session. All the education sessions will be run by either the club trainer, club doctor, or club nutritionist, except three nutrition sessions which will be run by a community nutrition group (e.g. Pacific Heartbeat). The physical activity program will be designed to progressively increase in difficulty over 12 weeks. The first 4 weeks will predominantly consist of aerobic off‐feet conditioning (rower and bike) and body weight exercises (squats, push ups, body weight rows, lunges and core work). The second 4 weeks will consist of the same exercises as above but will also introduce external loads (e.g. Kettle bells, Dumbbells, barbells etc.) Running volume will also increased. The last 4 weeks will combine all of the above and involve strength, aerobic, and anaerobic conditioning. In addition, there will also be a number of small‐sided games sessions. All participants will also receive a pedometer to monitor their step count. Roll calls will be taken at the beginning of each session to assess adherence to the programme. CONDITION: Overweight PRIMARY OUTCOME: Assess the feasibility of the programme, including acceptability of randomisation, the proposed measurements, study retention, and acceptability of the adapted programme. These measures will be assessed by self‐report using questionnaires designed specifically for this study. INCLUSION CRITERIA: Overweight males (with a BMI of 25 kg/m2 or over) aged 25‐65 years who are wanting to improve their physical fitness and diet; Are able to safely undertake physical activity; Can understand and read English; Are able to provide written consent to take part in the study. SECONDARY OUTCOME: Alcohol consumption will be assessed by self‐report using a survey designed specifically for this study. Bioelectrical impedance will be used to assess body fat. Body mass index will be measured using the following equation: weight (as assessed by digital scales) in kg / height squared (as assessed by stadiometer). Bodyweight will be measured using digital scales at the baseline and final follow‐up visits. Fruit and vegetable consumption will be assessed by self‐report using a survey designed specifically for this study. Heart rate will be assessed using an automated sphygmomanometry. Height will be measured using a stadiometer at the baseline and final follow‐up visits. Hip circumference will be assessed using a tape measure. Seated blood pressure will be assessed using an automated sphygmomanometry. Shuttle run test will be used to assess cardiovascular fitness. Waist circumference will be assessed using a tape measure. Waist‐to‐hip ratio will be assessed by the ratio of the circumference of the waist (as measured by tape measure in cm) to that of the hips (as measured by tape measure in cm).