Abstract
Background
Postnatal women (<12 months postpartum) are at increased risk of physical inactivity.
Purpose
To evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of a theory-based physical activity (PA) intervention delivered to postnatal women primarily via mobile telephone short message service (SMS).
Methods
Eighty-eight women were randomized to the intervention (n = 45) or minimal contact control (n = 43) condition. The 12-week intervention consisted of a face-to-face PA goal-setting consultation, a goal-setting magnet, three to five personally tailored SMS/week and a nominated support person who received two SMS per week. SMS content targeted constructs of social cognitive theory. Frequency (days/week) and duration (min/week) of PA participation and walking for exercise were assessed via self-report at baseline, 6 and 13 weeks.
Results
Intervention participants increased PA frequency by 1.82 days/week (SE ± 0.18) by 13 weeks (F (2,85) = 4.46, p = 0.038) and walking for exercise frequency by 1.08 days/week (SE ± 0.24) by 13 weeks (F (2,85) = 5.38, p = 0.02). Positive trends were observed for duration (min/week) of PA and walking for exercise.
Conclusions
Intervention exposure resulted in increased frequency of PA and walking for exercise in postnatal women.
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Acknowledgments
This study was funded by Queensland Health. Dr. Fjeldsoe was supported by an Australian Postgraduate Award. Dr. Miller was supported by a University of Queensland Post-doctoral Fellowship. Dr. Marshall was supported by a National Health and Medical Research Council Career Development Award #553000. Denise Koh managed the database from which participants were recruited. The authors would like to sincerely thank all of the women involved in this research.
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Fjeldsoe, B.S., Miller, Y.D. & Marshall, A.L. MobileMums: A Randomized Controlled Trial of an SMS-Based Physical Activity Intervention. ann. behav. med. 39, 101–111 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-010-9170-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-010-9170-z