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Lion Hearts: A Family Program for Cardiovascular Health

This study, called "Lion Hearts," is testing a 12-week family-based physical activity program to improve heart health in mothers and their children (ages 10-17). The program involves twice-weekly, 60-minute group exercise sessions at local CrossFit gyms. Researchers want to see if this program helps families become more physically active and if they enjoy and stick with the program. They will measure physical activity using FitBit devices and check how many families complete the program. You and your child must be able to safely do moderate-to-vigorous physical activity to join. This is a pilot study to see if the program is practical and effective before larger studies are done.

Study design
This is an interventional study with 100 planned participants. It is a pilot trial evaluating the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of the Lion Hearts intervention.
What's involved
You and your child would participate in a 12-week program with twice-weekly, 60-minute group exercise sessions. You would also complete assessments at baseline, mid-intervention, post-intervention, and a 3-month follow-up.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Participants are followed for 3 months after the intervention ends.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT07147387

Lions Hearts: A Community Approach to Multigenerational Cardiovascular Disease Risk

Not Yet Recruiting
NAAges 10+Interventional
Penn State University
~100 participants
Updated 2026-04-02 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Lion Hearts Family-Based Physical Activity Program

At a glance

Recruiting sites
0 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity - FitBit
Measured over Baseline (within 1 week prior to intervention start) and immediately post-intervention (within 1 week after completing the 12-week program).
+5 more outcomes measured

Conditions

Cardiovascular (CV) Risk

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Cardiovascular Risk

NCT07147387

Where you'd take part

This study runs at 1 site. They're the same protocol — you choose where, and that choice sets who your contact draft is addressed to.

  • Penn State University

    State College, Pennsylvaniastudy coordinator listed

Sites open and close at different times, so the status above is per site — it can differ from the study's overall status.

Who to contact

Janette Watkins M Dr, PhD
[email protected]
502-321-9683
Email the study team

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Mother-child dyad willing to participate together in the full 12-week intervention and assessment activities
Child aged 10-17 years old
Mother (or female caregiver)
Both mother and child must be able to safely engage in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, as determined by pre-participation health screening (e.g., PAR-Q+)
Access to transportation to attend twice-weekly exercise sessions at a local CrossFit affiliate

Exclusion

Presence of a medical condition that would make participation in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity unsafe, as determined by health screening or medical provider (e.g., uncontrolled hypertension, cardiovascular disease, severe orthopedic limitations)

What this trial measures

  • Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity - FitBitBaseline (within 1 week prior to intervention start) and immediately post-intervention (within 1 week after completing the 12-week program).

    Physical activity behavior will be assessed using Fitbit wearable activity monitors for 7 days pre-intervention and 7 days post-intervention. Fitbits use accelerometry and heart rate sensors to estimate daily time spent in different intensity categories. The primary outcome will be minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) per day, derived from Fitbit activity intensity classifications. Secondary measures include total step counts and sedentary time.

  • Retention rate of programImmediately post-intervention (within 1 week after completing the 12-week program).

    percentage of eligible participants enrolled

  • Implementation fidelity of programImmediately post-intervention (within 1 week after completing the 12-week program).

    percentage of planned sessions delivered, based on facilitator checklists

  • Participant adherence to programImmediately post-intervention (within 1 week after completing the 12-week program).

    percentage of study requirements completed, based on attendance logs and completion of assessments

  • Recruitment rate of programImmediately post-intervention (within 1 week after completing the 12-week program).

    percentage of eligible participants enrolled

  • Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA)Baseline (within 1 week prior to intervention start) and immediately post-intervention (within 1 week after completing the 12-week program).

    Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) is a non-invasive method used to estimate body composition, including fat mass, lean body mass, and total body water. The technique works by sending a safe, low-level electrical current through the body and measuring the resistance (impedance) encountered by the current. Because lean tissue contains more water and conducts electricity better than fat tissue, impedance values can be used to calculate body composition using validated prediction equations.