Adding Mobile Elements to Online Physical Activity Interventions Targeted at Adults Aged 50 Years and Older: Protocol for a Systematic Design (Preprint)

Abstract

BACKGROUND Physical activity (PA) can increase mental and physical health in adults aged over 50. However, it has been shown that PA-guidelines are often not met within this population. Therefore, our research group developed two computer tailored intervention programs in the last decade to stimulate PA: Active Plus and I Move. Although these programs were proven effective, positive effects diminished over time and attrition rates were relatively high. To respond to this, three interactive mobile elements are integrated in the existing programs, namely an activity tracker, an ecological momentary intervention program and a virtual coach application. OBJECTIVE To present the systematic approach for extending our online PA intervention programs Active Plus and I Move with three interactive mobile elements. METHODS Components often included in other (eHealth) design models were identified and served as a base for the definition of systematic steps: exploration of context, involvement of the target population, prototype and intervention testing, and implementation were identified as key components. RESULTS The systematic design approach consisting of ten steps is presented. The initial step is a literature search, of which the results serve as a base for development of the low fidelity prototypes in step two. The third to the sixth step are defined as the pilot phase and include semi-structured interviews, pilottests, and adaptations of the prototypes with intensive involvement of the target population of adults aged over 50, where particular attention is paid to lower educated persons. The seventh step is an effect evaluation in the form of a randomized controlled trial. During the eighth step the most effective intervention programs are selected and reinforced. These reinforced intervention programs are used during the design of an implementation plan in the ninth step and the subsequent field study in the tenth step. CONCLUSIONS In this paper, the ten systematic design steps for extending our existing online PA intervention programs with mobile elements are presented. The ten steps are presented as an useful approach to guide future eHealth design studies.

“I Don’t Believe in Age; I Believe in Staying Enthusiastic”: An Exploratory Qualitative Study into Recruitment Strategies Stimulating Middle-Aged and Older Adults to Join Physical Activity Interventions

“…Additionally, our study shows that MAOAs present unique challenges in terms of motivating them to be interested in PA interventions. Although prevalence data show that less than half of MAOAs are sufficiently active [53], MAOAs tend to overestimate their level of PA [54][55][56][57]. Similarly, in our sample, the majority of participants perceived themselves to be sufficiently active, but other comments in the interviews suggested that this perception reflected satisfaction with their level of PA rather than actually meeting the guidelines for sufficient PA. Because we did not measure PA objectively, we cannot determine whether this is actually the case.…”

“…We did not objectively measure the participants' actual level of PA or ask them if they had any medical conditions that may hinder PA. Whilst we sought to collect data that would give a representative image of this target population, the majority of our participants indicated that they were sufficiently physically active, which contrasts with prevalence data indicating that less than half of this age group is sufficiently active. Although this might suggest that our results are not fully representative, it is known that PA overestimation is quite common [54][55][56][57], and results should be interpreted with this consideration in mind. In addition, it is advisable to check in future research whether participants have a medical condition that may limit physical activity, as this could give more depth to certain perceptions of participants.…”