Internet based exercise management system for worksite exercise and well-being intervention

Abstract

Reijo Kangas. 2012. Internet based exercise management system for worksite exercise and well-being intervention. University of Jyväskylä. Department of Sport Sciences, Master’s thesis in Sport and Exercise Psychology, 105 pages. The studies of exercise motivation theories can be used for the requirements of exercise management software systems. User-friendly mobile and web applications may wake up people’s interest of their own awareness of unhealthy manners like obesity, sedentary behavior and possible mental health problems of inactivity. The aim of the present study was to plan, organize and evaluate an internet based exercise intervention for workers. Other purpose of the study was to observe possible changes of exercise motivation and physical activity during the intervention. Implementation of this intervention as planned needed to develop mobile and web based exercise management system (www.trainit.fi) to study, enhance and maintain physically active life style. Measurements of exercise motivation were carried out by Exercise Motivations Inventory (EMI-2) and exercise barriers by Barriers Self-Efficacy Scale (BARSE) psychometrics tools. Fixed exercise plans with instructions at Trainit portal, exercise skills learning, health behavior lessons and supervised training sessions were used to guide and motivate people to be physically active. Interviews and exercise session diary was used to collect experiences and feelings of participation on training sessions. Trainit portal was used to collect data of physical activity rate and, of course, willingness to use the portal. This study did not reveal any permanent changes in exercise motivation, most probably, because of the short three month duration of supervised group exercise sessions. The whole intervention during eight months time period proved lasting exercise activity in practice when using web based tools for exercise planning, monitoring and peer review purposes. Internet based applications are effective but cannot replace face-to-face delivery methods. Gaming features and other persuasive systems should be studied and use in the future to make physical activity behavior more attractive and raise awareness of the health.