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257246 Internet-based Physical Activity Interventions at the Worksite: A Systematic ReviewMonday, October 29, 2012
Objective: Physical activity (PA) intervention at the worksite is an appropriate method to increase PA levels in a large number of participants. Currently, little research has addressed the efficacy of providing internet-based PA interventions at worksites. The aim of this study was to systematically evaluate the effectiveness of internet-based interventions to promote PA in worksites. Methods: A systematic literature search for internet-based PAworksite interventions was conducted using Academic Search Premier, CINAHL, ERIC, PubMed Central, PsycINFO, MEDLINE, and SPORTDiscus from 2005 to 2011. Results: A total of nine studies met the inclusion criteria. Only three studies were found to be effective in significantly increasing PA level in the internet group compared to the control group. One study used an objective measure to assess the amount of PA using a pedometer, along with self-report. The remaining studies either used single or multiple subjective measures of PA. The shortest intervention duration was 30 days and the longest was 12 months. Only two studies reported using process evaluation methods and almost all used validated tools for measuring PA level. Retention rates ranged from 48.6% to 87%. Conclusions: There was limited evidence that internet-based PA interventions in worksites are more effective than traditional methods. Future interventions should focus on creating efficient internet-based programs specifically tailored to each worksite with properly defined control groups. They should lengthen intervention time and use objective PA outcome measures. More cost-effective studies are needed to establish a better understanding of internet-based delivery methods when compared to conventional delivery methods.
Learning Areas:
Administer health education strategies, interventions and programsImplementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs Occupational health and safety Social and behavioral sciences Learning Objectives: Keywords: Worksite, Physical Activity
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been the co-investigator for interventions focused on decreasing risk for Type II Diabetes in sedentary people. My scientific interests are in chronic disease prevention through physical activity. I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.
Back to: 3097.0: Environmental / Occupational Health Student Projects
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