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Web program increased older adults’ measured activity in a trial

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A Dutch RCT found a web-based intervention raised daily activity ~46% and improved weight and HbA1c markers in inactive 60–70-year-olds.

Source

Effects of a web-based intervention on physical activity and metabolism in older adults: randomized controlled trial

Wijsman CA, Westendorp RG, Verhagen EA, et al. · Journal of medical Internet research · 2013

doi.org/10.2196/jmir.2843Read the full paper ↗108 citationscc by

Study at a glance

Design
RCT — Web-based PA program vs control; accelerometer outcomes ~3 months
N
N=235 · Adults aged 60–70 near Leiden
Population
Adults aged 60–70 near Leiden randomized to a web-based physical-activity program
Outcome
Daily activity (ankle accelerometer), weight, and HbA1c

Structured fields used in claim comparison tables when every cited study has a complete layer.

What they did

235 adults aged 60–70 near Leiden were randomized to a web-based physical-activity program or control; ankle/wrist accelerometers and metabolic measures were assessed over ~3 months.

What they found

Ankle-measured daily activity rose 46% vs 12% in controls; intervention lost more weight (−1.49 vs −0.82 kg) and had greater HbA1c decline.

The limits

What it doesn't show

Long-term maintenance beyond 3 months or effects in adults with established diabetes (excluded).

Key terms

Accelerometer
Wearable sensor quantifying physical activity counts.
Web-based intervention
Internet program prompting and tracking activity behaviour.
HbA1c
Glycated hemoglobin reflecting average glucose.
Metabolic health
Markers such as weight, waist, insulin/HOMA, and HbA1c.
Moderate-to-vigorous activity
Higher-intensity activity minutes per day.
Inactive older adults
60–70-year-olds targeted to increase activity.

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Ankle activity increase was about:

Common questions

How much did ankle activity rise?

46% intervention vs 12% control after 13 weeks.

Who was recruited?

Adults 60–70 from the Leiden region, Netherlands.

How many were randomized?

235 (119 intervention, 116 control).

Did metabolism improve?

Yes—greater weight loss and HbA1c reduction versus control.

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