The use of accelorometry-based activity monitors and linked web portal to enhance long-term maintenance of physical activity in adults: A pilot trial in an exercise referral setting

Low levels of physical activity are associated with an increased risk of chronic disease outcomes including heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some forms of cancer as well as poorer psychological wellbeing.

The majority of adults in Wales do not currently achieve public health recommendations for physical activity. Due to the health, social and economic costs of inactivity, increasing physical activity at the population level and among at-risk populations is a public health priority.

Interventions to increase individuals' physical activity levels, such as exercise referral schemes, have had mixed successes to date, and have often only demonstrated effects in the short term.

In Wales, a trial of the National Exercise Referral Scheme (NERS) demonstrated small but significant impacts on physical activity at 12 month follow-up, though effects were limited to patients referred with coronary heart disease risk factors (i.e. no effect for mental health patients). Uptake and completion were higher among older patients, and those already doing some activity at baseline.

This study seeks to assess the feasibility of adding a new motivational component to an existing effective intervention in order to enhance the effects of NERS, and support longer-term maintenance of physical activity. The new component involves a combination of a physical activity monitor (MyWellnessKey) and an associated web-based (online) support system (MyWellnessCloud).

Research suggests that activity monitors may help to enhance physical activity levels and long-term maintenance by allowing the user to set goals and monitor how well they are doing. Goal setting interventions have shown promising effects in terms of promoting dietary and physical activity behaviour change.

The study will enhance our understandings of how to integrate such technologies into existing exercise programmes, and will provide an assessment of feasibility and acceptability to inform the decision on whether and how to proceed to a full effectiveness trial.