OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of a local neighborhood environment-focused physical activity website and its effects on walking and overall physical activity in middle-aged adults. METHOD: One-hundred and six (72% women) inactive adults aged 52 +/- 4.6 years were randomly allocated to receive access to a neighborhood environment-focused website (Neighborhood group, n = 52) or a motivational-information website (Comparison group n = 54). Participants also received eleven emails over the 26 weeks. Study outcomes were objectively-monitored website use, and self-reported total walking (min/wk), total physical activity (min/wk) and neighborhood walking (min/wk) collected at baseline, 12 and 26 weeks. The study was conducted between August 2005 and February 2006 in Brisbane, Australia. RESULTS: Website use was significantly greater among Neighborhood participants (p = 0.01). Statistically significant increases in walking and total physical activity were observed in both groups. There was also a statistically significant interaction effect for total physical activity, with Neighborhood group participants maintaining more of their initial increase in physical activity at week-26 (p < 0.05). Further, those in the Neighborhood group who used the website more often reported significantly more walking along the community trail at week-26 (p = 0.05) compared with those who did not. CONCLUSIONS: A local neighborhood-environment focused physical activity website was more effective at engaging participants than a motivational-information website. Moreover, its use resulted in meaningful increases in physical activity relative to the comparison website.
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