Internet-delivered behavior change program increases physical activity and improves cardiometabolic disease risk factors in sedentary adults: results of a randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether the Active Living Every Day (ALED-I) internet-delivered theory-based physical activity (PA) behavior change program increases PA and improves cardiometabolic disease risk factors (CDRF) in sedentary overweight adults.


METHODS
The study was a randomized control trial that took place in southern Wyoming and northern Colorado from 2005-2007. Thirty-two men and women (21-65 years) were randomized to a 16-week ALED-I intervention (n=14; age=41.4+/-3.7 years; BMI=32.3+/-1.3 kg/m(2)) or a delayed intent-to-treat control condition (n=18; age=49.4+/-1.7 years; BMI=30.6+/-0.8 kg/m(2)). At baseline and post-intervention, PA by pedometer and CDRFs were measured.


RESULTS
Both groups had similar baseline PA levels. ALED-I increased PA by an average of 1384 steps/day (p=0.03) compared to 816 steps/day (p=0.14) for the control group. Waist circumference (100.6+/-2.4 vs. 96.6+/-2.7 cm) and Coronary Risk Ratio (5.1+/-0.3 vs. 4.7+/-0.3) decreased in the ALED-I group and did not change in the control group (99.2+/-2.2 vs.99.8+/-2.1 cm) and (3.7+/-0.1 vs. 3.7+/-0.1), respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The internet-delivered ALED program increased PA and improved some CDRFs in sedentary overweight/obese adults. To our knowledge, this is the first efficacy trial of the internet-delivered ALED program. Further studies are warranted due to the reach and cost-effectiveness of internet-delivered PA programs.
Carr
Lucas J
LJ
Human Integrative Physiology Laboratory, Division of Kinesiology and Health, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071, USA.
Bartee
R Todd
RT
Dorozynski
Chris
C
Broomfield
James F
JF
Smith
Marci L
ML
Smith
Derek T
DT
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003120:Colorado; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012307:Risk Factors; D014959:Wyoming