Article

Self-monitoring and goal setting are both important behavioural strategies for increasing physical activity. Pedometers and accelerometers provide objective physical activity feedback and support self-monitoring. Tailored Internet-mediated coaching algorithms can assist users with goal setting. Pairing an objective-monitoring device with an automated, individually tailored, Internet-mediated coaching intervention has the potential to create a low cost but effective physical activity intervention with broad reach.
Objectives: To describe key elements of the design space of physical activity interventions that combine objective physical activity monitoring with individually tailored coaching algorithms to promote physical activity.
Major findings: We discuss seven key elements needed for a successful online physical activity program that incorporates objective monitoring and automated coaching: (1) a low cost, user-friendly and reasonably accurate objective-monitoring device that can upload data to a computer; (2) a tailoring algorithm to assist users with goal setting based on objectively assessed physical activity; (3) tailored motivational messages; (4) challenges and team competitions; (5) access to an online community for social support and social modelling; (6) dynamic and possibly user-generated web content to keep the user engaged; and (7) technical support to address evolving information technology issues on the Internet. Evidence of benefit from published studies is also reviewed.
Conclusions : Combining objective monitoring with online coaching may be a cost-effective approach to increasing physical activity at a population level. The short-term impact of such interventions is impressive but further research is needed to optimize outcomes and to demonstrate longer-term impact

Langue : ANGLAIS