Internet-Based Physical Activity Interventions

Rodney P. Joseph, Nefertiti H. Durant, Tanya J. Benitez, Dorothy W. Pekmezi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

100 Scopus citations

Abstract

This article provides a comprehensive review of Internet- and Website-based physical activity interventions targeting adult populations. Search procedures identified 72 unique Internet-based physical activity interventions published in peer-reviewed journals. Participants of the studies were predominately White, middle-aged (mean age = 43.3 years), and female (65.9%). Intervention durations ranged from 2 weeks to 13 months (median = 12 weeks). Forty-six of the studies were randomized controlled trials, 21 were randomized trials without a control condition, 2 were non-randomized controlled trials, and 3 used a single-group design. The majority of studies (n = 68) assessed outcomes immediately following the end of the intervention period, and 16 studies provided delayed postintervention assessments. Forty-four of the 72 studies (61.1%) reported significant increases in physical activity. Future directions for Internet-based physical activity interventions include increasing representation of minority and male populations in Internet-based efforts, conducting delayed postintervention follow-up assessments, and incorporating emerging technologies (ie, cellular and Smartphones) into Internet-based physical activity efforts.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)42-67
Number of pages26
JournalAmerican Journal of Lifestyle Medicine
Volume8
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2014
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Internet
  • Web-based
  • exercise
  • physical activity

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Medicine (miscellaneous)
  • Health Policy
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Internet-Based Physical Activity Interventions'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this