« Previous Next »American Journal of Preventive Medicine
Volume 19, Issue 2 , Pages 121-126, August 2000

Interactive communication strategies:

Implications for population-based physical-activity promotion

Bess H Marcus, PhD
- Brown University Center for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine (Marcus), Providence, Rhode Island, USA
- Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Bess H. Marcus, PhD, Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown University Center for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine, The Miriam Hospital, 164 Summit Avenue, Providence, RI 02906
Claudio R Nigg, PhD
- Health Promotion Partnership, Cancer Prevention Research Center, University of Rhode Island (Nigg), Rhode Island, USA
Deborah Riebe, PhD (FACSM)
- Department of Physical Education and Exercise Science, University of Rhode Island (Riebe), Kingston, Rhode Island, USA
LeighAnn H Forsyth, PhD
- Department of Psychology, Cleveland State University (Forsyth), Cleveland, Ohio, USA

Abstract

Abstract: Physical inactivity is a recognized independent risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease. However, a large proportion of the U.S. population does not participate in regular physical activity, and research has shown that without intervention, most people remain sedentary. Thus, an urgent need exists for developing effective interventions to promote physical-activity adoption and maintenance. Additionally, it is important that these interventions can be disseminated to the large population of sedentary individuals. To be disseminable, physical-activity interventions must move beyond reliance on strictly face-to-face modes and begin to more fully use newer technologies, such as the Internet. This article summarizes the progress made in promoting physical activity with interactive communications. We also delineate areas for future research.

Keywords: computer communication networks, computers, exercise, health promotion, Internet, mass media, medical informatics, pamphlets, physical fitness, telecommunications