The effects of internet-delivered intervention for promoting physical activity

Abstract

This study examined the effectiveness of internet-delivered interventions-comprising recording of daily steps, a daily steps graph, goal setting, integration with a social networking service, personalized reminders urging physical activity, team and individual ranking, and a questionnaire-for promoting physical activity. Participants in the intervention group were 253 workers in five industrial sectors: manufacturing (94); transportation and postal activities (32); education and learning support (38); medical, healthcare, and welfare (63); and services not classified elsewhere (NCE) (26). Analysis of variance was used to test for significant differences in daily step count and exercise self-efficacy according to industrial sector (5 aforementioned groups and a control group) and time (pre/post-intervention). Although the NCE services group had a significantly higher daily step count post-intervention, self-efficacy was not significantly changed in any group. The NCE services group was assumed to use a computer as part of their daily work. This possibly indicates that for the effective use of this intervention, which relies on information and communications technology (ICT), participants must possess media literacy and work in a substantially ICT-focused environment. This study suggests it is necessary to enrich the contents of internet- delivered interventions and simultaneously enhance participants' ability to use personal computers in order to successfully promote physical activity. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)