Year: 2009
Type: article
Abstract: Inactivity is the most widespread health risk factor in modern societies today, causing not only\nindividual health problems but also immense costs for the healthcare systems. This emphasizes the\nneed for improving population-wide impact of activity interventions, with particular attention to costeffectiveness, scalability, and delivery channels. In this paper, we present the theory-motivated design\n(drawing on the transtheoretical model) and empirical test of an IT-based physical activity\nprogramme (Personal Health Manager, PHM). In order to be as cost-effective as possible, the PHM\nwas designed to have only few face-to-face contacts and to deliver supervision through the internet.\nOur design and implementation proved to be successful in a pilot test with 88 employees of an\nautomotive company. The PHM increased participants’ activity, motivational readiness for change,\nfunctional capacity and transported the feeling of being well taken care of. Enhanced supervision did\nnot increase performance. The results are first evidence that internet-mediated supervision can be\nsuccessful in promoting physical activity and provide a starting point for investigating the role of faceto-face-contact and service levels in physical activity programs. The PHM and similar designs are\nalso relevant to practice as the semi-automation makes them eligible for large-scale corporate or\npublic health programs.
Language: English
Subfield: General Health Professions
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1590174218