Physical Activity and the Internet

Abstract

A growing number of the population are utilising the internet for health information, with researchers predicting that the future of internet-based health or e-Health will largely consist of 'preventive' sites that will facilitate healthy living, such physical activity. PURPOSE: To examine the efficacy of delivery modes for an internet-based behavioural modification program targeting physical activity. METHODS: A randomised control trial was conducted with 192 participants randomly allocated to either a face-to-face (n=65), internet-mediated (n=65) or internet-only (n=62) arm of a 12-week physical activity intervention (Health-eSteps). Participants included inactive adults with internet access that resided in the local community. The trial was conducted between July 2004 and April 2005. The primary outcome variable was change in self-reported physical activity, assessed at four time periods, ranging from pre-intervention (baseline) to 5-months post-intervention. RESULTS: The intervention attracted predominately white females (83.3%), with a mean age of 38.74 (± 12) years and BMI of 32.09 (± 7.53). There was no significant group by time interaction for physical activity F(6, 567) = 1.64 p >0.05, when analyzed using an intention to treat approach, and no significant main effect for group F(2,1 89) = 1.58, p >0.05. A significant main effect for time F(3, 567) = 75.66, p<0.01 was observed for each intervention group. Mean minutes of self-report activity increase by 270-minutes, 177-minutes and 170.29-minutes for the face-to-face, internet-mediated and internet-only groups respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The internet-mediated and internet-only groups showed comparative increases in physical activity to the face-to-face group. This study provides evidence in support of the efficacy of the internet in behavioural change interventions relating to physical activity and highlights avenues for future research.