Randomized trial of a neighborhood environment-focused physical activity website intervention.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the use of a local neighborhood environment-focused physical activity website and its effects on walking and overall physical activity in middle-aged adults.


METHODS
One-hundred and six (72% women) inactive adults aged 52+/-4.6 years were randomly allocated to receive access to a neighborhood environment-focused website, (Neighborhood group, n=52) or a motivational-information website (Comparison group n=54). Participants also received eleven emails over the 26 weeks. Study outcomes were objectively-monitored website use, and self-reported total walking (min/wk), total physical activity (min/wk) and neighborhood walking (min/wk) collected at baseline, 12 and 26 weeks. The study was conducted between August 2005 and February 2006 in Brisbane, Australia.


RESULTS
Website use was significantly greater among Neighborhood participants (p=0.01). Statistically significant increases in walking and total physical activity were observed in both groups. There was also a statistically significant interaction effect for total physical activity, with Neighborhood group participants maintaining more of their initial increase in physical activity at week-26 (p<0.05). Further, those in the Neighborhood group who used the website more often reported significantly more walking along the community trail at week-26 (p=0.05) compared with those who did not.


CONCLUSIONS
A local neighborhood-environment focused physical activity website was more effective at engaging participants than a motivational-information website. Moreover, its use resulted in meaningful increases in physical activity relative to the comparison website.
Ferney
Shannon L
SL
The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia. sferney@hms.uq.edu.au
Marshall
Alison L
AL
Eakin
Elizabeth G
EG
Owen
Neville
N
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D034742:Electronic Mail; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D009043:Motor Activity; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011793:Queensland; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012944:Social Support; D016138:Walking / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*