The number of technology-based interventions to promote physical activity has recently increased in the field of healthcare.  Computer and mobile technologies provide an intervention medium through which coaching/support and information could be easily delivered without face-to-face interactions or physical transportation. A Web App provides a very useful platform to increase lifestyle physical activity using both computer and mobile devices.  However, little is known about practical issues in implementing Web App based physical activity promotion programs among racial/ethnic minorities in the U.S. The purpose of this presentation is to share practical issues in implementing a Web App based physical activity promotion program among Korean American midlife women with depressive symptoms and provide suggestions for future Web App based physical activity promotion programs among racial/ethnic minorities.

The parent study aimed to determine the efficacy of a Web App based program in improving physical activity among Korean American midlife women with depressive symptoms. The recruitment, intervention implementation, and data collection are still going on. Currently, a total of 62 participants have been recruited. During the research process, individual research team members have written research diaries about issues in conducting the study among the specific population. Also, the research team have weekly discussed practical issues in conducting the study and kept the minutes of the research team meetings. The diaries and minutes were analyzed using a simple content analysis. Five practice issues were identified through the analysis process.

First, the optimal intervention period for a Web App based physical activity promotion program may be different from that for a traditional physical activity promotion program in physical settings. For instance, it was difficult to closely engage the participants in the intervention for more than 3 months. Second, some participants did not want to use Fitbits included in the program. Fitbits were included as an intervention component because they were expected to highly motivate the participants. However, they were perceived as an unnecessary inconvenience for many participants. Third, developed multiple intervention activities (i.e., setting weekly exercise goals, weekly coaching/support, participating in forums, and reading educational materials) through the Web App platform was perceived as an excessive requirement; the participants did not have much to share and/or to get coaching/support within one week period and regular reminders were essential to retain the participants. Fourth, it was difficult to control the participants’ usages of the Web App based program because they could easily leave the program at their convenience. Finally, stigma attached to depression still affected the participants’ participation even in non-face-to-face interactions through a Web App.

Physical activity promotion through a Web App based intervention is highly feasible among racial/ethnic minority midlife women, but there exist multiple practical issues that should be considered in future physical activity promotion programs using computer and mobile devices.