Physical Activity
Conditions
Keywords
Walking programs, Physical Activity, Behavior Modification, Social Support
Brief summary
The investigators propose a randomized controlled trial based on the Social Networks for Activity (SNAP) Model to evaluate: (1) the effectiveness of an internet-based fitness walking program delivered to patients with risk factors for cardiovascular disease and stroke; and (2) the contribution of social support networks to enhancing the effectiveness of the internet-based fitness walking program. The investigators will recruit 308 patients who are sedentary and have risk factors for cardiovascular disease and randomly assign them to one of the following groups: 1. Internet-based fitness walking program (WalkLink); 2. Internet-based fitness walking program plus additional social network intervention (WalkLink+); and 3. Minimal treatment control. The primary specific aims of this study are to: 1. Evaluate the effects of WalkLink and WalkLink+ relative to a minimal treatment control group on change in: physical activity, aerobic fitness, blood pressure, body composition, and body mass index (BMI), from baseline to posttest, and at 6-month follow-up. 2. Compare the differential effectiveness of WalkLink+ to WalkLink on change in: physical activity, aerobic fitness, blood pressure, body composition and BMI from baseline to posttest, and at 6-month follow-up. 3. Evaluate the mediator and moderator effects of selected individual-level self-management skills (goal setting, planning, self-monitoring), social support variables (number of activity partners, social cues for walking, social praise/reinforcement), and physical-ecological variables (neighborhood walkability, physical cues for walking) on WalkLink and WalkLink+ treatment outcomes.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALGroup
Walking programs with various levels of support will be administered to determine which one is most effective.
Sponsors
Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
35 Years to 64 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Sedentary, defined as less than 150 minutes per week of moderate intensity activity * Between the ages of 35 and 64 * Able to speak English * Able to provide informed consent * Able to participate in moderate-intensity physical activity (e.g., moderate pace walking)
Exclusion criteria
* No access to home or private work computer with Internet access * Body mass index (BMI) greater than 39.9 * Systolic blood pressure \> 160 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure \> 100 mm Hg * Bone, joint, or foot problems that interfere with walking * Diabetes, pulmonary, or cardiovascular disease * Consume 5 or more drinks of alcohol a day * Currently pregnant * Not living within the preselected study neighborhoods or plan to move from the local area during the study period
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Moderate Vigorous Activity | 9 months | Change in Moderate Vigorous Activity will be assessed using Actigraph accelerometers |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Health Risk Factors | 9 months | Aerobic fitness, blood pressure, body mass index, body composition |
Other
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Factors | 9 months | Built and social environment factors |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed