AJPM:掌上电脑助中老年人积极健身

美国科学家最新研究发现，每天从PDA（个人数字助手，掌上电脑）上收到健身提醒的中老年人实际锻炼时间是那些没有收到健身提醒的中老年人的两倍多。由此可见，除了通信联络之外，手机和PDA还有促进中老年人积极健身的功能。相关报道文章发表在2008年2月的爱思唯尔期刊《美国预防医学杂志》（American Journal of Preventive Medicine）上。

该文章的第一作者Abby King是斯坦福大学医学院的教授，研究领域包括健康研究与政策、医学。他说：“消息提醒的内容是‘该让健身回到您日程的首要位置’。也许，当你正准备取出下一份报告审阅的时候，你想起了这则消息，就会意识到不该为了工作忽视锻炼健身。”

该研究采用了对照试验的方法。实验组由19名惯于久坐的男、女受测者组成。研究人们向他们分发了PDA，并教会他们如何使用。此后，每天都向这些受测者发送消息提醒，鼓励他们每周至少做150分钟中等或高强度的锻炼（主要是快步行走）。对照组有18名成员，每名成员都会收到关于健身重要性的标准化书面材料。八周的试验期结束时，实验组平均每人每周锻炼时间为310分钟，而对照组是125分钟。（科学网荔涛/编译）

生物谷推荐原始出处：

（American Journal of Preventive Medicine），doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2007.09.025, Abby C. King, Christopher D. Gardner

Promoting Physical Activity Through Hand-Held Computer Technology

Abby C. King PhD, David K. Ahn PhD, Brian M. Oliveira PhD, Audie A. Atienza PhD, Cynthia M. Castro PhD and Christopher D. Gardner PhD

Background

Efforts to achieve population-wide increases in walking and similar moderate-intensity physical activities potentially can be enhanced through relevant applications of state-of-the-art interactive communication technologies. Yet few systematic efforts to evaluate the efficacy of hand-held computers and similar devices for enhancing physical activity levels have occurred. The purpose of this first-generation study was to evaluate the efficacy of a hand-held computer (i.e., personal digital assistant [PDA]) for increasing moderate intensity or more vigorous (MOD+) physical activity levels over 8 weeks in mid-life and older adults relative to a standard information control arm.

Design

Randomized, controlled 8-week experiment. Data were collected in 2005 and analyzed in 2006–2007.

Setting/Participants

Community-based study of 37 healthy, initially underactive adults aged 50 years and older who were randomized and completed the 8-week study (intervention=19, control=18).

Intervention

Participants received an instructional session and a PDA programmed to monitor their physical activity levels twice per day and provide daily and weekly individualized feedback, goal setting, and support. Controls received standard, age-appropriate written physical activity educational materials.

Main Outcome Measure

Physical activity was assessed via the Community Healthy Activities Model Program for Seniors (CHAMPS) questionnaire at baseline and 8 weeks.

Results

Relative to controls, intervention participants reported significantly greater 8-week mean estimated caloric expenditure levels and minutes per week in MOD+ activity (p<0.04). Satisfaction with the PDA was reasonably high in this largely PDA-naive sample.

Conclusions

Results from this first-generation study indicate that hand-held computers may be effective tools for increasing initial physical activity levels among underactive adults.