Kirsti Riiser*, Oslo and Akershus University College, Faculty of Health/Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Oslo, Norway Knut Løndal, Oslo and Akershus University College, Faculty of Education and International Studies, Oslo, Norway Yngvar Ommundsen, Norweigan School of Sport Sciences, Oslo, Norway Turid Sundar, Diakonova University College, Oslo, Norway Sølvi Helseth, Oslo and Akershus University College, Faculty of Health, Oslo, Norway Track: Research Presentation Topic: e-Coaching Presentation Type: Poster presentation Submission Type: Single Presentation Last modified: 2012-09-12

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Background: Recent research suggests that internet technology is a promising way to change a person’s health behavior and therefore provide opportunities for low threshold counseling using feedback to guide and support health behavior, including increased physical activity (PA). Research shows that overweight and obese adolescents are less physically active than their peers of normal weight. There are good reasons to believe that tailored internet-based interventions may be particularly suitable for motivating adolescents to increase PA, but we need to gain further knowledge of what features that are effective and how to design such interventions.
Objective: To describe the process of development and evaluation of usability of a web-based program (Young & Active) for increasing physical activity in overweight adolescents.
Method: Based on Self-determination theory, this intervention was developed in a stepwise process by an interdisciplinary team of researchers, designers, developers and representatives from the target group. Founded in the objectives of the study and the theoretical framework, we decided on including the following components; self-monitoring trough planning and registration of PA and graphical response on progress, individual web-based counseling, standard forum for social support with pre-defined topics related to PA, and relevant age adjusted information about and PA. An iterative qualitative usability testing approach (observation, survey and interview) was applied to assess how the adolescents used and experienced the program. Usability tests were carried out in two sequences with two different samples, first in lab and second in field over a period of 2 weeks. Simple content analysis was performed after each of the usability tests. Data were analyzed thematically and summarized corresponding with the different components of the program.
Results: The first test resulted in adjustments both related to design, content and functionality. Most importantly the content and the aim of the different features had to be made more visible and explicit (i.e. bold headings, short intro texts for every task, marked help-buttons with pop up texts for clear explanations and tips). The second test evaluated the program with adjustments from the first test. Overall the second usability test showed that the program was well accepted by the participants and only small aesthetical adjustments had to be made which led to the final version of Young & Active.
Conclusion: Thorough preparation, with clear theory foundation and close follow up in the developmental phase, as well as engagement and iterative evaluation from the target group, is essential to create a user friendly and engaging program. This study adds to the understanding of the process of development of a web based program aimed at motivating adolescents to engage in and increase physical activity. The efficacy of the program will be evaluated in a randomized controlled trial.