Aspects of Program Engagement in an Online Physical Activity Intervention and Baseline Predictors of Engagement

Abstract

Purpose

Participant engagement in an online physical activity (PA) intervention is described and baseline factors related to engagement are identified.

Design

Longitudinal Study Within Randomized Controlled Trial.

Setting

Online/Internet.

Sample

Primary care patients (21-70 years).

Intervention

ActiveGOALS was a 3-month, self-directed online PA intervention (15 total lessons, remote coaching support, and a body-worn step-counter).

Measures

Engagement was measured across six outcomes related to lesson completion (total number and time to complete), coach contact, and behavior tracking (PA, sedentary). Self-reported baseline factors were examined from seven domains (confidence, environment, health, health care, demographic, lifestyle, and quality of life).

Analysis

General linear and nonlinear mixed models were used to examine relationships between baseline factors and engagement outcomes within and across all domains.

Results

Seventy-nine participants were included in the sample (77.2% female; 74.7% white non-Hispanic). Program engagement was high (58.2% completed all lessons; PA was tracked ≥3 times/week for 11.3 ± 4.0 weeks on average). Average time between completed lessons (days) was longer than expected and participants only contacted their coach about 1 of every 3 weeks. Individual predictors related to health, health care, demographics, lifestyle, and quality of life were significantly related to engagement.

Conclusion

Examining multiple aspects of engagement and a large number of potential predictors of engagement is likely needed to determine facilitators and barriers for high engagement in multi-faceted online intervention programs.