Future directions in physical activity intervention research: expanding our focus to sedentary behaviors, technology, and dissemination

Abstract

Despite the increased health risks of a sedentary lifestyle, only 49 % of American adults participate in physical activity (PA) at the recommended levels. In an effort to move the PA field forward, we briefly review three emerging areas of PA intervention research. First, new intervention research has focused on not only increasing PA but also on decreasing sedentary behavior. Researchers should utilize randomized controlled trials, common terminology, investigate which behaviors should replace sedentary behaviors, evaluate long-term outcomes, and focus across the lifespan. Second, technology has contributed to an increase in sedentary behavior but has also led to innovative PA interventions. PA technology research should focus on large randomized trials with evidence-based components, explore social networking and innovative apps, improve PA monitoring, consider the lifespan, and be grounded in theory. Finally, in an effort to maximize public health impact, dissemination efforts should address the RE-AIM model, health disparities, and intervention costs.

Motivating future directions of behavioral medicine

“…RE-AIM is designed to improve the quality, rapidity, and impact of translational research by guiding researchers in Reaching their intended population, focusing on Efficacy or effectiveness, increasing intervention Adoption, and ensuring Implementation consistency and intervention Maintenance over time (Glasgow et al, 1999). Lewis et al (2016) further underscore the value of the RE-AIM framework, and provide several examples of how RE-AIM has been used within physical activity dissemination studies.…”

“…While technology has contributed to increases in sedentary behavior, Lewis et al (2016) also outline how these tools can be used in innovative ways to reduce sedentary behavior and increase physical activity. Large randomized trials, a lifespan approach, and a commitment to theoretically-driven, evidence-based intervention components targeting long-term outcomes are key to achieving these two future aims.…”

Statewide Dissemination of an Evidenced-Based Email Walking Program Delivered Through Cooperative Extension

“…Community programs that deliver informational approaches through diverse media including email, newspaper, and radio have demonstrated effectiveness in increasing physical activity among adults (4,5,7). However, once physical activity interventions have demonstrated effectiveness, disseminating these programs into community settings has been limited (8)(9)(10).…”

Public views of different sources of health advice:pharmacists, social media and mobile health applications

“…Technological advances are often cited as one of the key reasons why many are living sedentary lifestyles . The public appear to be unaware of the impact their lifestyle is having on their health .…”

“…Technological advances are often cited as one of the key reasons why many are living sedentary lifestyles. [10,11] The public appear to be unaware of the impact their lifestyle is having on their health. [12] Young people in particular are at risk, with those born during the first decade of the 21st century being nicknamed 'digital natives' [13] having lived their whole lives with the Internet.…”