Expert Validation of an Autonomous Personalized Physical Activity Algorithm (APPA e-Delphi)

March 14, 2026 updated by: Maria Pereira Gomes, Polytechnic Institute of Porto

Validation of a Personalized Physical Activity Algorithm Via Modified e-Delphi (InnovaMotion Project)

This study aims to validate a personalized physical activity algorithm for risk screening and individualized exercise prescription using a modified online Delphi process. International experts in physical activity and exercise will evaluate the algorithm's components over two rounds of questionnaires, with consensus defined as ≥70% agreement. If needed, a focus group will resolve any remaining disagreements. Validation of this algorithm may support safer, more effective autonomous exercise, promoting adherence, improved health outcomes, and population-level benefits.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Detailed Description

Study Phases - eDelphi Validation of the APPA Algorithm

Phase 1 - Round 1 (Initial Online Questionnaire):

The first phase consists of an online survey in which international experts in physical activity and exercise will evaluate the components of the personalized physical activity algorithm for health risk screening and individualized exercise prescription. Experts will assess the relevance, clarity, and clinical appropriateness of each item. Feedback from this round will identify items requiring modification or clarification.

Phase 2 - Round 2 (Re-evaluation):

The second phase consists of a consecutive online survey round, in which experts will re-evaluate the revised algorithm components based on feedback from Round 1. Experts will have the opportunity to adjust their ratings. This phase aims to move items closer to consensus (≥70% agreement).

Phase 3 - Optional Focus Group (if needed):

If consensus is not reached on specific items after Round 2, an online focus group will be conducted to discuss and resolve remaining disagreements. This discussion will help refine the algorithm and ensure agreement on all components.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Observational

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
9

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.
  • Name: Maria P Gomes, Masters student
  • Phone Number: +351 222 061 000
  • Email: mapg@ess.ipp.pt

Study Locations

  • Portugal
      • Porto, Portugal, 4200-072
        • Recruiting
        • School of Health - Polytechnic Institute of Porto
        • Contact:
          • Andreia SP Sousa
          • Phone Number: +351 222 061 000
          • Email: asp@ess.ipp.pt

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study population will consist of international experts in the field of Physical Activity and Exercise. Participants will be identified based on their recognized scientific or professional experience and possession of a relevant doctoral degree. Recruitment will be primarily via institutional email invitations, supplemented by personal contacts when needed. Eligible experts will voluntarily participate in two rounds of an online modified Delphi questionnaire and, if required, an online focus group to resolve any remaining disagreements. The targeted panel size is 9 - 18 experts to ensure representativeness and methodological robustness.

Description

Inclusion Criteria

  • Experts in Physical Activity and Exercise with recognized scientific or professional experience and a relevant doctoral degree.
  • Availability to complete two rounds of the online modified Delphi questionnaire.
  • Willingness to participate in an online focus group if consensus is not reached.
  • Ability and willingness to provide informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria

  • Individuals unable to provide informed consent.
  • Individuals without access to a computer, smartphone, tablet, or other internet-enabled device necessary to complete the online survey.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort

Group / Cohort

A group or subgroup of participants in an observational study that is assessed for biomedical or health outcomes.
Expert Panel
Cohort of experts in physical activity and exercise with recognized scientific or professional experience and a relevant doctoral degree. Experts will validate a digital algorithm for health risk screening and individualized physical activity prescription via a modified online Delphi process. Two rounds of anonymous questionnaires will assess the relevance, clarity, and clinical appropriateness of algorithm components. If consensus (≥70% agreement) is not reached, a follow-up online focus group will resolve disagreements. Recruitment will be through institutional emails and professional networks. Participation is voluntary, with informed consent obtained. Panel size: 9-18 experts, consistent with Delphi methodology to ensure representativeness and robustness.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Expert consensus on algorithm components
Time Frame: Up to 2 months
Consensus defined as ≥70% agreement among experts using a 9-point Likert scale in a two-round modified Delphi process evaluating the relevance and clarity of algorithm items.
Up to 2 months

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Polytechnic Institute of Porto

Collaborators

Collaborators

An organization other than the sponsor that provides support for a clinical study. This support may include activities related to funding, design, implementation, data analysis, or reporting.
Center for Rehabilitation Research - Polytechnic Institute of Porto (IPP)

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Study Director: Andreia SP Sousa, Center for Rehabilitation Research
  • Study Director: António M Montes, Center for Rehabilitation Research
  • Study Director: Anabela C Martins, H&TR-Health & Technology Research Center, Coimbra Health School, Polytechnic University of Coimbra

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
March 10, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
May 1, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
December 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
March 12, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
March 12, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
March 16, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
March 17, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
March 14, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
March 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • CE0073F
  • 02/C06-i03.03/2021.PID-15 (Other Grant/Funding Number: InnovHealth Scholarships, funded by the Impulso Jovens STEAM Programme within the Resilient P.PORTO Programme)
  • UID/05210/2025 (Other Grant/Funding Number: Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT))

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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