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Introduction: Mobile health (mHealth) lifestyle interventions can help mitigate cardiometabolic disease. However, Hispanic adults are underrepresented in these interventions, report lower physical activity (PA) levels and are disproportionately affected by cardiometabolic disease compared to non-Hispanic White (NHW) adults. We conducted a secondary analysis of the effects of an 8-week mHealth exercise intervention on exercise behavior in Hispanic and NHW adults. Hypothesis: A remotely delivered mHealth exercise program involving a wearable sensor, mobile application and wellness education would promote similar exercise behavior in both Hispanic and NHW adults. Methods: Thirty-eight Hispanic and 21 NHW sedentary (< 60 min/week of exercise) adults were randomized (1:1:1) to 8 weeks of increasing behavioral resources: Level 1 (wellness education, n=16), Level 2 (wellness education + pre-recorded exercise videos, n=24), or Level 3 (wellness education + livestream group exercise, n=19). Participants were given a chest strap sensor (Myzone MZ-3) to use during exercise and a mobile app to interact with other participants. A weekly email delivered wellness education, feedback and PA encouragement. Level 2 (videos) and Level 3 (classes) performed 35-min 3x/wk of instructor-led, high-intensity functional training designed to improve cardiometabolic risk factors. Sensor use (3x/wk encouraged) and time spent in moderate-to-vigorous exercise effort (MVET) were captured by the MZ-3. MVET was calculated as the time spent in effort >64% maximum heart rate. Baseline and post-intervention PA were captured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Differences between groups were tested using univariate ANOVA with Bonferroni-adjusted t tests in post hoc analyses. Results: Hispanic participants were younger (30.6 ± 10.1 yr, mean ± SD) and performed less PA (22.6 ± 70.2 min/wk) at baseline compared to NHW (39.7 ± 16.8 yr, 90.1± 90.2 min/wk; p0.05), or in weekly sensor use during the intervention (Hispanic 1.7 ± 1.8 sessions/wk, NHW 2.4 ± 1.6 sessions/wk, p>0.05). Self-reported PA increased from baseline to post-intervention in both groups (p Conclusion: An 8-week mHealth lifestyle program increased PA behavior in sedentary participants. However, Hispanic participants exercised at lower intensities than non-Hispanic White participants. Future work is needed to identify barriers in meeting MVPA recommendations in minority populations so that culturally tailored interventions can be developed.

Introduction: Lifestyle interventions incorporating exercise and nutrition can help prevent and manage cardiometabolic disease. However, not all interventions readily reach individuals who are most in need. A mobile health (mHealth) exercise program could be a cost-effective approach to broadening accessibility and providing support for physical activity behavior change. We tested the feasibility and acceptability of a mHealth exercise intervention in this 8-week pilot study. Hypothesis: A remotely delivered mHealth lifestyle program involving a wearable sensor, mobile application and social support is feasible and acceptable in sedentary adults. Methods: A total of 84 sedentary (< 30 min/week of exercise) adults (females 31.5 ± 11.3 yr, males 34.1 ± 28.9 yr, mean ± SD) were randomized (1:1:1) to 8 weeks of increasing physical activity behavioral support: Level 1 (wellness education, n=26), Level 2 (wellness education + pre-recorded exercise videos, n=30), or Level 3 (wellness education + livestream group exercise, n=28). Participants used a chest strap sensor (Myzone MZ-3) during exercise and a mobile application for interaction. A weekly email was used to deliver wellness education and encourage physical activity. Level 2 exercise videos and Level 3 livestream (Zoom) group classes were 35 min long, instructor-led, delivered 3x/wk and designed to meet national guidelines for weekly physical activity. Participants were surveyed at baseline and 8 weeks. Feasibility was defined through accrual and attrition; acceptability through sensor use (3x/wk encouraged) and survey data. Results: Between August 2020 and August 2021, 204 adults were screened for eligibility. Out of 135 eligible participants, 84 (62%) enrolled in the study. Preliminary analysis indicated 65% retention at 8-week follow-up. Participants were primarily Hispanic/Latinx (47%), 71% had 2-year college or more education, 45% reported income below federal poverty thresholds, and 36% reported qualifying for public assistance. Program acceptability varied by group with weekly median sensor use of 1 day/wk (Level 1), 2 days/wk (Level 2) and 3 days/wk (Level 3). Good-to-high program enjoyment was reported by 90% of Level 3 and 83% of Level 2 participants. Conclusions: This pilot study demonstrates that a livestream group-based or video-based exercise program is feasible and acceptable in sedentary adults. A randomized controlled trial investigating health-related outcomes using this mHealth program is warranted.