User attitudes towards physical activity websites in a randomized controlled trial

Area of Science:

• Digital Health
• Behavioral Science
• Public Health

Background:

• Mixed findings exist regarding the efficacy of internet-based physical activity interventions.
• Understanding the role of specific website components is crucial for improving intervention effectiveness.
• Sedentary individuals are a key target population for physical activity promotion.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the use and perceived usefulness of specific website components in internet-based physical activity interventions.
• To compare engagement levels between tailored and standard internet intervention arms.
• To identify features that contribute to improved intervention efficacy.

Main Methods:

• A 12-month randomized controlled trial involving sedentary adults.
• Comparison of a Tailored Internet arm (instantaneous web-based tailored feedback) with a Standard Internet arm (publicly available websites).
• Objective website usage data and subjective usefulness ratings via questionnaires were collected.

Main Results:

• Participants in the Tailored Internet arm logged onto their websites significantly more frequently than those in the Standard Internet arm (median 50 vs. 38 logins).
• Self-monitoring (logging activity) and goal setting were identified as the most useful components by participants in the Tailored Internet arm.
• Website login frequency in this study surpassed levels reported in previous research.

Conclusions:

• Tailored feedback, goal setting, and self-monitoring are critical and highly valued components for enhancing the efficacy of internet-based physical activity interventions.
• Future research should focus on optimizing these features and exploring other theory-based strategies to improve user engagement and health behavior change.
• Increased website engagement, as demonstrated by higher login rates, suggests potential for greater intervention impact.