A Web-Based Intervention for Insufficiently Active College Students: Feasibility and Preliminary Efficacy

Area of Science:

• Health behavior interventions
• Exercise science
• Behavioral psychology

Background:

• Many college students fail to meet recommended physical activity guidelines.
• This impacts both physical and mental health.
• The "I Can Be Active!" intervention aims to increase physical activity in college students.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility of the "I Can Be Active!" intervention for inactive college students.
• To examine preliminary effects on Multi-Process Action Control (M-PAC) constructs.
• To evaluate preliminary effects on physical activity levels.

Main Methods:

• A pre-post quasi-experimental study involving 21 college students (ages 18-24) over 8 weeks.
• Data collected through questionnaires, web analytics, and interviews.
• Feasibility assessed via recruitment, retention, acceptability, and practicality; efficacy by M-PAC constructs and physical activity.

Main Results:

• Recruitment and retention rates were 70% and 71%, respectively.
• Participants reported positive program reception, with noted exceptions.
• Significant increases observed in self-regulation, habit, identity (M-PAC constructs), and physical activity.

Conclusions:

• The "I Can Be Active!" intervention is feasible and shows preliminary positive effects for inactive college students.
• Findings suggest areas for intervention refinement.
• Future research will utilize a randomized controlled trial to confirm effectiveness in a larger, diverse student population.