Examination of print and telephone channels for physical activity promotion: Rationale, design, and baseline data from Project STRIDE.
BACKGROUND
Project STRIDE is a 4-year randomized controlled trial comparing two computer-based expert system guided intervention delivery channels (phone vs. print) for physical activity adoption and short-term maintenance among previously sedentary adults.


METHODS
Sedentary adults (n=239) were randomized to one of the following (1) telephone-based, individualized motivationally-tailored feedback; (2) print-based, individualized motivationally-tailored feedback; (3) contact-control delayed treatment group (received intervention after 12 months as control). This paper: (1) outlines the study design, rationale, and participant sample; and (2) describes relationships between baseline variables to better understand their influence on the efficacy of the intervention.


RESULTS
Participants averaged 19.8+/-25.0 min of physical activity/week that was at least of moderate intensity, with no group differences. The average estimated VO(2) at 85% of maximum heart rate was 25.6 ml/kg/min. Body fat was 34.1% for women and 23.2% for men and the BMI of the sample averaged 28.5 kg/m(2).


CONCLUSIONS
Project STRIDE examines non face-to-face approaches for promoting physical activity behavior. It has unique features including a direct comparison of an expert system guided intervention delivered via phone or print. Future analyses will examine the cost-effectiveness of the interventions and this will likely yield important information for policy-makers.
Marcus
Bess H
BH
Centers for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine, The Miriam Hospital and Brown Medical School, CORO Building, Suite 500, One Hoppin St., Providence, RI 02903, USA. bmarcus@lifespan.org
Napolitano
Melissa A
MA
King
Abby C
AC
Lewis
Beth A
BA
Whiteley
Jessica A
JA
Albrecht
Anna E
AE
Parisi
Alfred F
AF
Bock
Beth C
BC
Pinto
Bernardine M
BM
Sciamanna
Christopher A
CA
Jakicic
John M
JM
Papandonatos
George D
GD
D000328:Adult; D001823:Body Composition; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D003142:Communication; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D030141:Feedback, Psychological; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D010809:Physical Fitness; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D012107:Research Design; D013689:Telephone; D013997:Time Factors