Outcomes of a Culturally Tailored Partially Randomized Patient Preference Controlled Trial to Increase Physical Activity Among Low-Income Immigrant Latinas.

Most participants chose their group, so the design was not a fully randomized trial. The delayed group knew it would receive the intervention later, which can affect behavior before the study intervention starts. Attendance was low, especially in the evening group, and pregnancy accounted for 16.8% of the sample stopping classes. The sample size was planned to test feasibility and calculate effect sizes for a larger trial, not to prove effectiveness. Diet and caloric intake were not measured, so changes in BMI or body fat cannot be interpreted. Aerobic fitness was estimated from a non-exercise measure that partly depended on body fat percentage. The authors report that fear of appearing too muscular lowered muscle strength scores in the evening group. The paper lists several outcomes but does not name one primary endpoint.

The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest. The publication types indicate N.I.H. extramural support, but the article text does not name a specific funder.

Do not read this as a fully randomized trial. Most participants chose their group, and only women without preference were randomly assigned.