A Comparison of Internet and Print-Based Physical Activity Interventions

Abstract

Background: Physical activity interventions tailored to individual characteristics and delivered via print produce greater increases in activity compared with nontailored interventions and controls. Using the Internet to deliver a tailored physical activity intervention offers an alternative to print that might be available to larger populations at a lower cost. Methods: Participants (N = 249 adults; mean [SD] age, 44.5 [9.3] years; and mean [SD] body mass index [calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared], 29.4 [6.1]) were randomized to 1 of 3 physical activity interventions: (1) motivationally tailored Internet (tailored Internet, n=81), (2) motivationally tailored print (tailored print, n=86); and (3) 6 researcher-selected Web sites available to the public (standard Internet, n=82). Participants in the tailored Internet and tailored print arms received the same tailored intervention content. Participants were assessed at baseline and at 6 and 12 months. Results: At 6 months, participants in the tailored print arm reported a median of 112.5 minutes of physical ac-tivity per week, those in the tailored Internet arm reported 120.0 minutes, and those in the standard Internet arm reported 90.0 minutes (P=.15). At 12 months, the physical activity minutes per week were 90.0, 90.0, and 80.0 for those in the tailored print, tailored Internet, and standard Internet arms, respectively (P=.74). Results indicated no significant differences between the 3 arms.Conclusions: The use of tailored Internet, tailored print, and standard Internet as part of a behavior change program increased physical activity behavior similarly. Because the use of the Internet was not different from the print-based intervention, this may be an opportunity to reach more sedentary adults in a more cost-effective way.

Feasibility of Using Computer-Tailored and Internet-Based Interventions to Promote Physical Activity in Underserved Populations

“…Such programs bypass barriers frequently cited by African Americans, such as child care and monetary costs, 3 by not requiring clinic visits and have already shown promising results among predominantly White samples. [4][5][6][7][8] examined the efficacy of mailed print materials among healthy female clerical staff at a major university (62.8% African American). Participants were randomly assigned to three groups: control packet, lifestyle exercise packet, and structured exercise packet.…”

Women Bound to Be Active: Differences in Long-Term Physical Activity Between Completers and Noncompleters of a Book Club Intervention

“…1 Interventions during the past decade have used varying approaches to facilitate increases in PA in women, including informational, behavioral, and environmental approaches. 2 Although some of these approaches may be effective short-term, 3,4 few have demonstrated success long-term (12 months or longer). 5 To achieve health benefits, women need to be successful at maintaining and adhering to a regular PA regimen.…”

Web-Based Exercise as an Effective Complementary Treatment for Patients With Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Intervention Study (Preprint)

“…This approach reduced the mentioned geographical and time-related barriers. In contrast to print-based interventions and face-to-face counseling, the Web-based communication lowers costs and has a higher potential to reach a wide range of target groups with tailored support [43,49,89]. Individualized recommendations based on heart frequency and personal feedback, expressed as RPE values seem to be useful in this context [34].…”