Internet-based exercise intervention systems: Are more interactive designs better?
Abstract
The benefits of Internet-based health promotion programmes are much discussed, yet the literature on their feasibility and utility is limited. Here, we evaluate an Internet-based exercise motivation and action support system (Test system), relative to a group receiving no intervention (Reference) and another receiving a less interactive version of the same system (Control). We report results from a 10-week pilot study with 75 participants aged 23–54 years. We found that, relative to the control system and reference group, the more interactive (test) system was more engaging (better user retention), created higher expectations for exercise, greater satisfaction with motivation and increased self-perception of fitness. Seven months after the intervention, participants who used the test system reported greater levels of increase in exercise than the control or reference groups. Our study adds to the growing body of evidence on the benefits of interactive systems and the role they could play in health promotion programmes. However, it should also be noted that not all Web-based systems offer the same level of advantage; careful design is crucial to ensure that key messages are clearly communicated to attentive users. Further research is required to identify the optimum interactive system design principles, across a range of user types.
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It has been proposed that an enriched platform environment with more interactive elements (e.g., videos, forums, audio) will increase user engagement, adherence and reduce dropouts.
“It has been proposed that an enriched platform environment with more interactive elements (e.g., videos, forums, audio) will increase user engagement, adherence and reduce dropouts.”
From Internet-based self-administered intervention to reduce anxiety and depression symptomatology and improve well-being in 7 countries: protocol of a randomized control trial (2024) · cites this paper as Hurling et al., 2006
A more interactive version of the same internet intervention to promote health behaviors (exercise) was more engaging, with fewer dropouts and better user retention indexes.
“Hurling et al. (2006) tested this hypothesis and found that a more interactive version of the same internet intervention to promote health behaviors (exercise) was more engaging, with fewer dropouts and better user retention indexes.”
From Internet-based self-administered intervention to reduce anxiety and depression symptomatology and improve well-being in 7 countries: protocol of a randomized control trial (2024) · cites this paper as Hurling et al., 2006
Early studies indicate that certain website elements matter.
“Although preliminary research has demonstrated the importance of some of these elements [24–26], additional work is necessary to determine the best use of each.”
From A Behavior Change Model for Internet Interventions (2009) · cites this paper as [26]
Initial results indicate a preference among users for audio, graphics, and interactivity in online interventions.
“Early findings suggest that users prefer audio, graphics, and interactivity as elements of Internet interventions [24–26].”
From A Behavior Change Model for Internet Interventions (2009) · cites this paper as [26]
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- Authors
- Hurling, R., Fairley, B. W., & Dias, M. B.
- Affiliations
- Unilever (United Kingdom) (GB)
- Tessella (United Kingdom) (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Hurling, Robert
- ORCID
- Hurling, Robert
- Venue
- Psychology & Health
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2006-12
- Volume
- 21
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 757-772
- ISSN
- 0887-0446 (ISSN-L)
- 1476-8321
- OpenAlex
- W2042121212
- Cited by
- 94
- References
- 62
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 9 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 6 · 2012: 9
- FWCI
- 12.25
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Psychology and Health (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Mobile Health and mHealth Applications
- Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Human-Computer Interaction › Innovative Human-Technology Interaction
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Digital Mental Health Interventions
- Keywords
- exercise motivation, exercise adherence, user retention, health promotion, self-perceived fitness, system design
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