Individualised health and activity messages to encourage exercise

Aimed at potential exercisers who find ‘one-size-fits-all’ messages about physical activity uninspiring, a team of university-based health promotion experts have developed a new physical activity website which delivers individualised health and activity messages.

TaylorActive is based on years of research into what motivates people to exercise. The easy-to-use program asks participants specific questions about their health and levels of physical activity, and develops an individualised fitness program which is delivered via interactive videos.

CQUniversity Associate Professor Corneel Vandelanotte, the principal researcher, who developed the TaylorActive Project, says research indicates individualised physical activity programs are far more likely to motivate people to exercise than general public health messages.

Professor Vandelanotte, from CQUni's Physical Activity Research Group, explains “we know from past research that people are three times more likely to be active and meet recommended guidelines if they are provided with a personalised intervention program, when compared to people who only consume general health messages.

“We’re excited about TaylorActive as it’s going into the next phase. It’s like having your own cyber fitness coach. It integrates the concept of an individualised physical activity program with the latest visual technology.

“We’re expecting it will be even more effective at engaging people to be active than the successful text version.”

Associate Professor Vandelanotte says TaylorActive develops an individualised program based on the outcomes that people want to achieve, how motivated they are and how well they progress over time.

TaylorActive is currently being evaluated and researchers are calling for participants in the community to help them test the effectiveness of online, visual, individualised activity programs. Anyone who is over 18, healthy and not currently regularly exercising can take part.

TaylorActive has been developed by researchers at CQUniversity, the University of Newcastle, the University of Alberta and the University of Adelaide and has been funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council.

To learn more or to participate go to www.tayloractive.org.au

11th May 2013 - SURVEY TO ASSESS RISK MANAGEMENT IN FITNESS