title: Effectiveness of an online computer-tailored physical activity intervention in a real-life setting.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a computer-tailored physical activity intervention delivered through the Internet in a real-life setting. Healthy adults (n=526), recruited in six worksites, between 25 and 55 years of age were randomized to one of three conditions receiving, respectively, (i) online-tailored physical activity advice + stage-based reinforcement e-mails, (ii) online-tailored physical activity advice only, (iii) online non-tailored standard physical activity advice. At 6-month follow-up, no differences in physical activity between study conditions were found; total physical activity, physical activity at moderate intensity and physical activity in leisure time significantly increased in all study conditions between baseline and follow-up. Further evaluation of the intervention materials showed that the tailored advice was more read, printed and discussed with others than the standard advice. Most of the respondents in the e-mail group indicated to be satisfied about the number, frequency and usefulness of the stage-based e-mails. In conclusion, although tailored advice was appreciated more than standard advice, no evidence was found that an online-tailored physical activity intervention program outperformed online standard information.
authors.affiliation: Policy Research Centre Sports, Physical Activity and Health, Belgium.
authors.forename: Heleen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Spittaels
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: De Bourdeaudhuij
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brug
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vandelanotte
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001530:Belgium; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D003376:Counseling / Q000379:methods; D034742:Electronic Mail; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D033181:Information Dissemination / Q000379:methods; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D009786:Occupational Health Services / Q000379:methods*; D009862:Online Systems; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires