As many as 75 percent of Americans do not engage in regular physical activity and 25 percent are completely inactive. The risk of cardiovascular disease is almost doubled among people who are physically inactive, comparable to the risk associated with increased systolic blood pressure, cigarette smoking, and elevated serum cholesterol. To make an impact on physical activity prevalence at the population level, research must focus at the interface between clinical efficacy trials and large-scale dissemination studies. Studies at this interface must compare proven interventions with new innovations that have the potential to reach large numbers of sedentary Americans. ? ? The objective of this study is to determine the differential effect of intervention delivery channel (Tailored Internet versus Tailored Print) on physical activity adoption and maintenance in previously sedentary adults. To our knowledge, no studies have examined the efficacy of a Tailored Internet-based physical activity intervention. Thus, we will conduct a randomized controlled clinical trial comparing three groups, 1) Internet-based motivationally-tailored individualized feedback (Tailored Internet); 2) print-based motivationally-tailored individualized feedback which has previously shown to be efficacious (Tailored Print); and 3) websites currently available to the public (Standard Internet comparison group). Two hundred and forty healthy, sedentary women and men ages 18-65 will be randomly assigned to one of the three groups. The Tailored Internet and Tailored Print arms will be matched on frequency and content of contact. Data will be collected at baseline, 6, and 12 months using well-established physical activity and physical performance measures, as well as a comprehensive set of psychosocial questionnaires. Our primary hypothesis is that individuals randomized to the Tailored Internet arm will exhibit significantly higher levels of physical activity participation at 6 and 12 months than individuals in the Tailored Print arm due to the enhanced capabilities of the Internet (e.g., immediacy of feedback and enhanced graphics). And, in addition, subjects randomized to the Tailored Internet or Tailored Print conditions will exhibit significantly higher levels of physical activity participation at 6 and 12 months than those in the Standard Internet comparison condition. Other questions of interest will include an examination of potential moderators and mediators of the intervention-physical activity relationship. This study will contribute important information regarding the relative efficacy of Internet and print-based interventions, each of which can be utilized for widespread public health dissemination. ? ?

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01HL069866-03
Application #
6845701
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-RPHB-4 (09))
Program Officer
Loria, Catherine
Project Start
2003-01-20
Project End
2006-12-31
Budget Start
2005-01-01
Budget End
2005-12-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2005
Total Cost
$618,808
Indirect Cost
Name
Miriam Hospital
Department
Type
DUNS #
063902704
City
Providence
State
RI
Country
United States
Zip Code
02906
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Ries, Amy V; Dunsiger, Shira; Marcus, Bess H (2009) Physical activity interventions and changes in perceived home and facility environments. Prev Med 49:515-7
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Frierson, Georita M; Williams, David M; Dunsiger, Shira et al. (2008) Recruitment of a racially and ethnically diverse sample into a physical activity efficacy trial. Clin Trials 5:504-16
Williams, David M; Matthews, Charles E; Rutt, Candace et al. (2008) Interventions to increase walking behavior. Med Sci Sports Exerc 40:S567-73
Lewis, Beth; Williams, David; Dunsiger, Shira et al. (2008) User attitudes towards physical activity websites in a randomized controlled trial. Prev Med 47:508-13
Williams, David M; Dunsiger, Shira; Ciccolo, Joseph T et al. (2008) Acute Affective Response to a Moderate-intensity Exercise Stimulus Predicts Physical Activity Participation 6 and 12 Months Later. Psychol Sport Exerc 9:231-245
Marcus, Bess H; Lewis, Beth A; Williams, David M et al. (2007) A comparison of Internet and print-based physical activity interventions. Arch Intern Med 167:944-9

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