Effects of a Web-Based Intervention on Physical Activity and Metabolism in Older Adults: Randomized Controlled Trial
BackgroundLack of physical activity leads to detrimental changes in body composition and metabolism, functional decline, and increased risk of disease in old age. The potential of Web-assisted interventions for increasing physical activity and improving metabolism in older individuals holds great pr...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
JMIR Publications
2013-11-01
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| Series: | Journal of Medical Internet Research |
| Online Access: | http://www.jmir.org/2013/11/e233/ |
| _version_ | 1818884067985195008 |
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| author | Wijsman, Carolien A Westendorp, Rudi GJ Verhagen, Evert ALM Catt, Michael Slagboom, P Eline de Craen, Anton JM Broekhuizen, Karen van Mechelen, Willem van Heemst, Diana van der Ouderaa, Frans Mooijaart, Simon P |
| author_facet | Wijsman, Carolien A Westendorp, Rudi GJ Verhagen, Evert ALM Catt, Michael Slagboom, P Eline de Craen, Anton JM Broekhuizen, Karen van Mechelen, Willem van Heemst, Diana van der Ouderaa, Frans Mooijaart, Simon P |
| author_sort | Wijsman, Carolien A |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | BackgroundLack of physical activity leads to detrimental changes in body composition and metabolism, functional decline, and increased risk of disease in old age. The potential of Web-assisted interventions for increasing physical activity and improving metabolism in older individuals holds great promise but to our knowledge it has not been studied.
ObjectiveThe goal of our study was to assess whether a Web-based intervention increases physical activity and improves metabolic health in inactive older adults.
MethodsWe conducted a 3-month randomized, waitlist-controlled trial in a volunteer sample of 235 inactive adults aged 60-70 years without diabetes. The intervention group received the Internet program Philips DirectLife, which was directed at increasing physical activity using monitoring and feedback by accelerometer and digital coaching. The primary outcome was relative increase in physical activity measured objectively using ankle- and wrist-worn accelerometers. Secondary outcomes of metabolic health included anthropometric measures and parameters of glucose metabolism.
ResultsIn total, 226 participants (97%) completed the study. At the ankle, activity counts increased by 46% (standard error [SE] 7%) in the intervention group, compared to 12% (SE 3%) in the control group (Pdifference<.001). Measured at the wrist, activity counts increased by 11% (SE 3%) in the intervention group and 5% (SE 2%) in the control group (Pdifference=.11). After processing of the data, this corresponded to a daily increase of 11 minutes in moderate-to-vigorous activity in the intervention group versus 0 minutes in the control group (Pdifference=.001). Weight decreased significantly more in the intervention group compared to controls (−1.5 kg vs −0.8 kg respectively, P=.046), as did waist circumference (−2.3 cm vs −1.3 cm respectively, P=.036) and fat mass (−0.6% vs 0.07% respectively, P=.025). Furthermore, insulin and HbA1c levels were significantly more reduced in the intervention group compared to controls (both P<.05).
ConclusionsThis was the first study to show that in inactive older adults, a 3-month Web-based physical activity intervention was effective in increasing objectively measured daily physical activity and improving metabolic health. Such Web-based interventions provide novel opportunities for large scale prevention of metabolic deregulation in our rapidly aging population.
Trial RegistrationDutch Trial Registry: NTR 3045; http://www.trialregister.nl/trialreg/admin/rctview.asp?TC=3045 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6KPw52dCc). |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-19T15:43:40Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-b1fa4840ff5b415cae8f7e707e0c5f62 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1438-8871 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-19T15:43:40Z |
| publishDate | 2013-11-01 |
| publisher | JMIR Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Medical Internet Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-b1fa4840ff5b415cae8f7e707e0c5f622022-12-21T20:15:24ZengJMIR PublicationsJournal of Medical Internet Research1438-88712013-11-011511e23310.2196/jmir.2843Effects of a Web-Based Intervention on Physical Activity and Metabolism in Older Adults: Randomized Controlled TrialWijsman, Carolien AWestendorp, Rudi GJVerhagen, Evert ALMCatt, MichaelSlagboom, P Elinede Craen, Anton JMBroekhuizen, Karenvan Mechelen, Willemvan Heemst, Dianavan der Ouderaa, FransMooijaart, Simon PBackgroundLack of physical activity leads to detrimental changes in body composition and metabolism, functional decline, and increased risk of disease in old age. The potential of Web-assisted interventions for increasing physical activity and improving metabolism in older individuals holds great promise but to our knowledge it has not been studied. ObjectiveThe goal of our study was to assess whether a Web-based intervention increases physical activity and improves metabolic health in inactive older adults. MethodsWe conducted a 3-month randomized, waitlist-controlled trial in a volunteer sample of 235 inactive adults aged 60-70 years without diabetes. The intervention group received the Internet program Philips DirectLife, which was directed at increasing physical activity using monitoring and feedback by accelerometer and digital coaching. The primary outcome was relative increase in physical activity measured objectively using ankle- and wrist-worn accelerometers. Secondary outcomes of metabolic health included anthropometric measures and parameters of glucose metabolism. ResultsIn total, 226 participants (97%) completed the study. At the ankle, activity counts increased by 46% (standard error [SE] 7%) in the intervention group, compared to 12% (SE 3%) in the control group (Pdifference<.001). Measured at the wrist, activity counts increased by 11% (SE 3%) in the intervention group and 5% (SE 2%) in the control group (Pdifference=.11). After processing of the data, this corresponded to a daily increase of 11 minutes in moderate-to-vigorous activity in the intervention group versus 0 minutes in the control group (Pdifference=.001). Weight decreased significantly more in the intervention group compared to controls (−1.5 kg vs −0.8 kg respectively, P=.046), as did waist circumference (−2.3 cm vs −1.3 cm respectively, P=.036) and fat mass (−0.6% vs 0.07% respectively, P=.025). Furthermore, insulin and HbA1c levels were significantly more reduced in the intervention group compared to controls (both P<.05). ConclusionsThis was the first study to show that in inactive older adults, a 3-month Web-based physical activity intervention was effective in increasing objectively measured daily physical activity and improving metabolic health. Such Web-based interventions provide novel opportunities for large scale prevention of metabolic deregulation in our rapidly aging population. Trial RegistrationDutch Trial Registry: NTR 3045; http://www.trialregister.nl/trialreg/admin/rctview.asp?TC=3045 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6KPw52dCc).http://www.jmir.org/2013/11/e233/ |
| spellingShingle | Wijsman, Carolien A Westendorp, Rudi GJ Verhagen, Evert ALM Catt, Michael Slagboom, P Eline de Craen, Anton JM Broekhuizen, Karen van Mechelen, Willem van Heemst, Diana van der Ouderaa, Frans Mooijaart, Simon P Effects of a Web-Based Intervention on Physical Activity and Metabolism in Older Adults: Randomized Controlled Trial Journal of Medical Internet Research |
| title | Effects of a Web-Based Intervention on Physical Activity and Metabolism in Older Adults: Randomized Controlled Trial |
| title_full | Effects of a Web-Based Intervention on Physical Activity and Metabolism in Older Adults: Randomized Controlled Trial |
| title_fullStr | Effects of a Web-Based Intervention on Physical Activity and Metabolism in Older Adults: Randomized Controlled Trial |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effects of a Web-Based Intervention on Physical Activity and Metabolism in Older Adults: Randomized Controlled Trial |
| title_short | Effects of a Web-Based Intervention on Physical Activity and Metabolism in Older Adults: Randomized Controlled Trial |
| title_sort | effects of a web based intervention on physical activity and metabolism in older adults randomized controlled trial |
| url | http://www.jmir.org/2013/11/e233/ |
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