National Ethics Application Form

National Ethics Application Form Version 2008 - V2.0 Proposal title:

WALK 2.0: Investigating the internal and external validity of Web 2.0 applications in promoting physical activity

For submission to: Central Queensland University's Human Research Ethics Committee (EC00158) University of Western Sydney Human Research Ethics Committee (EC00314)

Name:

Prof Gregory Kolt

Address:University of Western Sydney Locked Bag 1797 Penrith South DC NSW 1797 Australia Contact: (Bus) +61(2) 4620 3747 (AH) (Mob) (Fax) +61(2) 46203710

Proposal status:

Complete

Proposal description: More than half of the Australian population do not meet the levels of physical activity recommended to achieve health benefits. The Internet has become an increasingly important communication tool and Internet based physical activity interventions which include innovative technology have the potential to reach large groups of individuals and contribute to the promotion of physical activity and behaviour change. Each year there is a proliferation of health-related and health-promotion websites, yet virtually no work has been done to study the utility and effectiveness of these population-targeted websites. This study will develop a website featuring Web 2.0 applications and evaluate the efficacy and utility of the website to promote physical activity in comparison to a conventional (Web 1.0) physical activity promotion website and a control group. The study utilises two methods to achieve the overall aim of the project - a randomised control trial (RCT) and a ‘real world' ecological trial (ET). The RCT will investigate the efficacy, adherence and behaviour change in a rigorous, controlled setting with high internal validity. The ET takes advantage of the unique ‘real world' sample available to the research team through the existing 10,000 Steps website to evaluate engagement by users from the broader community. We expect that the current proposal will provide an increased understanding of the benefits of newer web-based technologies and applications in engaging and retaining participants on web-based physical activity promotion sites. This work has the potential to improve health outcomes from increased engagement/retention in physical activity. Previously submitted to:

Commercial-in-Confidence

Administrative Section 1. TITLE AND SUMMARY OF PROJECT 1.1. Title 1.1.1 What is the formal title of this research proposal? WALK 2.0: Investigating the internal and external validity of Web 2.0 applications in promoting physical activity 1.1.2 What is the short title / acronym of this research proposal (if applicable)? Walk 2.0

1.2. Description of the project in plain language 1.2.1 Give a concise and simple description (not more than 400 words), in plain language, of the aims of this project, the proposal research design and the methods to be used to achieve those aims. More than half of the Australian population do not meet the levels of physical activity recommended to achieve health benefits. The Internet has become an increasingly important communication tool and Internet based physical activity interventions which include innovative technology have the potential to reach large groups of individuals and contribute to the promotion of physical activity and behaviour change. Each year there is a proliferation of health-related and health-promotion websites, yet virtually no work has been done to study the utility and effectiveness of these population-targeted websites. This study will develop a website featuring Web 2.0 applications and evaluate the efficacy and utility of the website to promote physical activity in comparison to a conventional (Web 1.0) physical activity promotion website and a control group. The study utilises two methods to achieve the overall aim of the project - a randomised control trial (RCT) and a ‘real world' ecological trial (ET). The RCT will investigate the efficacy, adherence and behaviour change in a rigorous, controlled setting with high internal validity. The ET takes advantage of the unique ‘real world' sample available to the research team through the existing 10,000 Steps website to evaluate engagement by users from the broader community. We expect that the current proposal will provide an increased understanding of the benefits of newer web-based technologies and applications in engaging and retaining participants on web-based physical activity promotion sites. This work has the potential to improve health outcomes from increased engagement/retention in physical activity.


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2. RESEARCHERS / INVESTIGATORS 2.2. Principal researcher(s) / investigator(s) 2.2.0 How many principal researchers / investigators are there?

7

2.2.1. Principal researcher / investigator 1 2.2.1. Name and contact details Name:

Prof Gregory Kolt

Address:

Organisation:

School of Biomedical and Health Sciences University of Western Sydney Locked Bag 1797 Penrith South DC NSW 1797 University of Western Sydney

Area:

School of Biomedical and Health Sciences

Position:

Head of School

Contact

(Bus) +61 (0)2 4620 3590 (Mob) -

Email:

[email protected]

(AH) (Fax) +61 (0)2 4620 3710

2.2.2... Summary of qualifications and relevant expertise NS 4.8.7 NS 4.8.15 PhD qualified. Many years of experience in physical activity and health promotion research. 2.2.2... Please declare any general competing interests Nil. 2.2.2... Name the site(s) for which this principal researcher / investigator is responsible. Greater Western Sydney and Central Queensland 2.2.3 Describe the role of the principal researcher / investigator in this project. Oversee the project scientific direction and delivery and work with the research team to determine the nature of the data collected. 2.2.4 Is the principal researcher / investigator a student?

No


Prof Anthony Maeder

Address:

Organisation:

School of Computing and Mathematics University of Western Sydney Locked Bag 1797 Penrith South DC NSW 1797 University of Western Sydney

Area:

School of Computing and Mathematics

Position:

Professor of Health Informatics

Contact

(Bus) +61(0)2 46203462 (Mob) -

Email:

[email protected]

(AH) (Fax) +61 (0)2 4620 3075

2.2.2... Summary of qualifications and relevant expertise NS 4.8.7 NS 4.8.15 PhD qualified. Strong research and applied background in health informatics. 2.2.2... Please declare any general competing interests Nil. 2.2.2... Name the site(s) for which this principal researcher / investigator is responsible. Greater Western Sydney and Central Queensland


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2.2.3 Describe the role of the principal researcher / investigator in this project. Work with the research team on scientific direction and development of the the web-based applications. 2.2.4 Is the principal researcher / investigator a student?

No


Dr Corneel Vandelanotte

Address: Organisation:

Institute for Health and Social Science Research CQUniversity Australia Rockhampton QLD 4702 CQUniversity Australia

Area:

Centre for Physical Activity Studies

Position:

NHF & NHMRC Post-Doctoral Research Fellow

Contact

(Bus) +61(0)7 4923 2042 (Mob) -

Email:

[email protected]

(AH) (Fax) -

2.2.2... Summary of qualifications and relevant expertise NS 4.8.7 NS 4.8.15 PhD qualified. Post doctoral research in the area of website-delivered interventions for physical activity and nutrition. 2.2.2... Please declare any general competing interests Nil 2.2.2... Name the site(s) for which this principal researcher / investigator is responsible. Greater Western Sydney and Central Queensland 2.2.3 Describe the role of the principal researcher / investigator in this project. Oversee the project delivery, work with project officers to collect, clean and interpret data, work with the research team to determine the nature of data collected. 2.2.4 Is the principal researcher / investigator a student?

No


Dr Mitch Duncan

Address: Organisation:

Institute for Health and Social Science Research CQUniversity Australia Rockhampton QLD 4702 CQUniversity Australia

Area:

Centre for Physical Activity Studies

Position:

Senior Post-Doctoral Research Fellow

Contact

(Bus) +61(0)7 4930 6977 (Mob) -

Email:

[email protected]

(AH) (Fax) -

2.2.2... Summary of qualifications and relevant expertise NS 4.8.7 NS 4.8.15 PhD, BHMSc (Hons) Has worked on several projects examining the barriers to and health benefits of engagement in physical activity. Experience in health promotion interventions and measurement of physical activity. 2.2.2... Please declare any general competing interests Nil 2.2.2... Name the site(s) for which this principal researcher / investigator is responsible. Greater Western Sydney and Central Queensland 2.2.3 Describe the role of the principal researcher / investigator in this project.


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Work with research team. Oversee the project delivery, work with project officers to collect, clean and interpret data, work with the research team to determine the nature of data collected. 2.2.4 Is the principal researcher / investigator a student?

No


Dr Cristina Caperchione

Address:

Organisation:

Faculty of Health and Social Development University of British Columbia Kelowna British Columbia V1V 1V7 Canada University of British Columbia

Area:

Faculty of Health and Social Development

Position:

Assistant Professor

Contact

(Bus) +1 (0) 250 807-9679 (Mob) -

Email:

[email protected]

(AH) (Fax) -

2.2.2... Summary of qualifications and relevant expertise NS 4.8.7 NS 4.8.15 PhD qualified. Previous experience in health promotion interventions. 2.2.2... Please declare any general competing interests Nil 2.2.2... Name the site(s) for which this principal researcher / investigator is responsible. Greater Western Sydney and Central Queensland 2.2.3 Describe the role of the principal researcher / investigator in this project. Work with research team to develop the web based content and determine the nature of data collected. 2.2.4 Is the principal researcher / investigator a student?

No


Prof William Kerry Mummery

Address:

Organisation:

Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation University of Alberta Edmonton Alberta T6G 2H9 Canada University of Alberta

Area:

Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation

Position:

Dean

Contact

(Bus) +1 (0) 780 492 3364 (Mob) -

Email:

[email protected]

(AH) (Fax) +1 (0) 780 492 1008

2.2.2... Summary of qualifications and relevant expertise NS 4.8.7 NS 4.8.15 Formal Qualifications B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. Professor of physical activity and population health with many years of research and grant experience. Extensive experience with web-based physical activity interventions. 2.2.2... Please declare any general competing interests Nil. 2.2.2... Name the site(s) for which this principal researcher / investigator is responsible. Greater Western Sydney and Central Queensland 2.2.3 Describe the role of the principal researcher / investigator in this project.


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Oversee the scientific direction of the study and the project delivery and work with the research team to determine the nature of the data collected. 2.2.4 Is the principal researcher / investigator a student?

No


Dr Richard Rosenkranz

Address:

Organisation:

School of Biomedical and Health Sciences University of Western Sydney Locked Bag 1797 Penrith South DC NSW 1797 University of Western Sydney

Area:


Position:

Lecturer/Research Fellow in Physical Activity

Contact

(Bus) +61 (0)2 4620 3625 (Mob) -

Email:

[email protected]

(AH) (Fax) +61 (0)2 4620 3710

2.2.2... Summary of qualifications and relevant expertise NS 4.8.7 NS 4.8.15 PhD in Human Nutrition, Master of Arts in Psychology, Master of Science in Kinesiology, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology/Human Development. Dr. Rosenkranz's research projects have focused on understanding the modifiable determinants of children's physical activity and dietary habits and the evaluation of multi-level interventions, based on modifiable determinants, that are designed to impact parents and children to promote physical activity and healthy eating. 2.2.2... Please declare any general competing interests Nil. 2.2.2... Name the site(s) for which this principal researcher / investigator is responsible. Greater Western Sydney and Central Queensland 2.2.3 Describe the role of the principal researcher / investigator in this project. Dr. Rosenkranz will contribute to the team in several ways. He will assist with the implementation of the intervention, and work with the project officer and research assistants in Greater Western Sydney to monitor quality of data collection, storage, and analysis. Dr. Rosenkranz will assist with all phases of the research project from planning and implementation through data analysis and dissemination of findings through publication and professional presentation. 2.2.4 Is the principal researcher / investigator a student?

No

2.3. Associate researcher(s) / investigator(s) 2.3.1 How many known associate researchers are there? (You will be asked to give contact details for these associate researchers / investigators at question 2.3.1.1)

0

2.3.2 Do you intend to employ other associate researchers / investigators?

No

2.4. Contact Provide the following information for the person making this application to the HREC.

2.4.1. Name and contact details Name:

Prof Gregory Kolt

Address:

Organisation:

University of Western Sydney Locked Bag 1797 Penrith South DC NSW 1797 Australia University of Western Sydney

Area:


Position:

Head of School


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Contact

(Bus) +61(2) 4620 3747 (Mob) -

Email:

[email protected]

(AH) (Fax) +61(2) 46203710

2.5. Other personnel relevant to the research project 2.5.1 How many known other people will play a specified role in the conduct of this research project?

2

2.5.1... Describe the role, and expertise where relevant (e.g. counsellor), of these other personnel. The project will be served by a project manager and website developer. With a Bachelors degree in Health Science, the project manager will be responsible for the coordination and day to day running of the project. The website developer will be responsible for programming the web based platform used in the health promotion intervention. 2.5.2 Is it intended that other people, not yet known, will play a specified role in the conduct of this research project?

Yes

2.6. Certification of researchers / investigators 2.6.1 Are there any relevant certification, accreditation or credentialing requirements relevant to the conduct of this research?

No

2.7. Training of researchers / investigators 2.7.1 Do the researchers / investigators or others involved in any aspect of this research project require any additional training in order to undertake this research?


No

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3. RESOURCES 3.1. Project Funding / Support 3.1.1. Indicate how the project will be funded 3.1.1... Type of funding. [Please note that all fields in any selected funding detail column (with the exception of the code) will need to be completed.] Name of Grant / Sponsor

External Competitive Grant NHMRC

Amount of funding

896,350

Confirmed / Sought

Confirmed

Detail in kind support

In kind support from UWS and CQUniversity for staff, office space allocation, administrative and office support.

Indicate the extent to which the scope of this This application represents all research to be conducted with this grant. HREC application and grant are aligned 3.1.1... How will you manage a funding shortfall (if any)? The research project has received sufficient funding to sustain work to completion. All funds have been carefully distributed to ensure that key activities will be achieved in sufficient time. As this funding has been confirmed, and is adequate for the term of the research, a shortfall is not expected. 3.1.2 Will the project be supported in other ways eg. in-kind support/equipment by an external party eg. sponsor

No

3.2. Duality of Interest 3.2.1 Describe any commercialisation or intellectual property implications of the funding/support arrangement. Commercial implications are unknown and may depend on the outcome of the trial. The intervention will test the efficacy of existing Web 2.0 applications and, as such, some commercialisation could be applicable depending out trial outcomes. 3.2.2 Does the funding/support provider(s) have a financial interest in the outcome of the research?

No

3.2.3 Does any member of the research team have any affiliation with the provider(s) of No funding/support, or a financial interest in the outcome of the research? 3.2.4 Does any other individual or organisation have an interest in the outcome of this Yes research 3.2.4... Indicate the interested party and describe the interest. Organisations that may be interested in the outcomes of this research will be national, state and community health bodies (such as Queensland Health) and not for profit organisations (such as the National Heart Foundation and Diabetes Australia for example). The outcomes of this research may assist them in identifying effective measures of promoting physical activity. 3.2.5 Are there any restrictions on the publication of results from this research?


No

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4. PRIOR REVIEWS 4.1. Ethical review 4.1.0. Duration and location 4.1.0... In how many Australian sites, or site types, will the research be conducted?

2

4.1.0... In how many overseas sites, or site types, will the research be conducted?

0

Provide the following information for each site or site type (Australian and overseas, if applicable) at which the research is to be conducted

4.1.0...Site / Site Type 1 4.1.0... Site / Site Type Name Online data collection 4.1.0... Site / Site Type Location The online content will be hosted at the University of Western Sydney. Participants in the randomised controlled trial will be recruited to the study from two demographic areas; Greater Western Sydney and Central Queensland. The ecological trial will recruit participants from new registrants to the existing 10,000 steps website. Registration to this website is available to any member of the population, however, for the purposes of the study, participants must reside in Australia. Greater Western Sydney is defined using the definition of the NSW Government's office of the Minister for Western Sydney (Auburn, Bankstown, Baukham, Blacktown, Blue Mountains, Camden, Campbelltown, Fairfield, Hawkesbury, Holroyd, Liverpool, Parramatta, Penrith, and Wollondilly local government areas (LGA)). Central Queensland is defined as the population residing within the federal division of Capricornia.

4.1.0...Site / Site Type 2 4.1.0... Site / Site Type Name University measurement attendance 4.1.0... Site / Site Type Location Objective outcome measurements will be collected at UWS (Campbelltown campus) and CQUniversity Australia (Rockhampton campus). 4.1.0...Provide the start and finish dates for the whole of the study including data analysis Anticipated start date Anticipated finish date 4.1.0... Are there any time-critical aspects of the research project of which an HREC should be aware?

01/11/2010 30/06/2014 Yes

4.1.0... Describe the time-critical aspects. The agreement with the funding body (NHMRC) stipulates funding for 4 years commencing January 2010. The start was delayed by the transfer of this grant from CQUniversity to UWS in the first half of 2010. Preparative tasks, such as development of the web interface and data collection tools have commenced, primary data collection has not commenced. To comply with this funding period data collection must commence by 1 July 2011. 4.1.1 To how many Australian HRECs (representing site organisations or the 2 researcher’s / investigator's organisation) is it intended that this research proposal be submitted?

4.1.1...HREC 1 4.1.1... Name of HREC

University of Western Sydney Human Research Ethics Committee (EC00314)

4.1.1...Provide the start and finish dates for the research for which this HREC is providing ethical review. Anticipated start date or date range Anticipated finish date or date range 4.1.1... For how many sites at which the research is to be conducted will this HREC provide ethical review?


01/11/2010 30/06/2014 2

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4.1.1...Site 1 4.1.1... Name of site

Online data collection

4.1.1... Which of the researchers / investigators involved in this project will conduct the research at this site? Principal Researcher(s) Associate Researcher(s) Prof Gregory Kolt Prof Anthony Maeder Dr Corneel Vandelanotte Dr Mitch Duncan Dr Cristina Caperchione Prof William Kerry Mummery Dr Richard Rosenkranz

4.1.1...Site 2 4.1.1... Name of site

University measurement attendance


4.1.1...HREC 2 4.1.1... Name of HREC

Central Queensland University's Human Research Ethics Committee (EC00158)

4.1.1...Provide the start and finish dates for the research for which this HREC is providing ethical review. Anticipated start date or date range Anticipated finish date or date range 4.1.1... For how many sites at which the research is to be conducted will this HREC provide ethical review?

01/11/2010 30/06/2014 2

4.1.1...Site 1 4.1.1... Name of site

Online data collection


4.1.1...Site 2


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4.1.1... Name of site

University measurement attendance

4.1.1... Which of the researchers / investigators involved in this project will conduct the research at this site? Principal Researcher(s) Associate Researcher(s) Prof Gregory Kolt Prof Anthony Maeder Dr Corneel Vandelanotte Dr Mitch Duncan Dr Cristina Caperchione Prof William Kerry Mummery Dr Richard Rosenkranz 4.1.2 Have you previously submitted an application, whether in NEAF of otherwise, for No ethical review of this research project to any other HRECs?

4.3. Peer review 4.3.1 Has the research proposal, including design, methodology and evaluation undergone, or will it undergo, a peer review process? NS 1.2

Yes

4.3.1... Provide details of the review and the outcome. A copy of the letter / notification, where available, should be attached to this application. The project merit and design have successfully undergone a peer review process by the NHMRC during the application phase. The letter of award from the NHMRC is attached as Appendix A.


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Ethical Review Section Summary Applicant / Principal Researcher(s) Prof Gregory Kolt Head of School, School of Biomedical and Health Sciences

Prof Gregory Kolt PhD qualified. Many years of experience in physical activity and health promotion research. Potential conflicts of interest Nil.

Prof Anthony Maeder PhD qualified. Strong research and applied background in health informatics. Potential conflicts of interest Nil.

Dr Corneel Vandelanotte PhD qualified. Post doctoral research in the area of website-delivered interventions for physical activity and nutrition. Potential conflicts of interest Nil

Dr Mitch Duncan PhD, BHMSc (Hons) Has worked on several projects examining the barriers to and health benefits of engagement in physical activity. Experience in health promotion interventions and measurement of physical activity. Potential conflicts of interest Nil

Dr Cristina Caperchione PhD qualified. Previous experience in health promotion interventions. Potential conflicts of interest Nil

Prof William Kerry Mummery Formal Qualifications B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. Professor of physical activity and population health with many years of research and grant experience. Extensive experience with web-based physical activity interventions. Potential conflicts of interest Nil.

Dr Richard Rosenkranz PhD in Human Nutrition, Master of Arts in Psychology, Master of Science in Kinesiology, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology/Human Development. Dr. Rosenkranz's research projects have focused on understanding the modifiable determinants of children's physical activity and dietary habits and the evaluation of multi-level interventions, based on modifiable determinants, that are designed to impact parents and children to promote physical activity and healthy eating. Potential conflicts of interest Nil.


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5. PROJECT 5.1. Type of Research 5.1.1 Tick as many of the following 'types of research' as apply to this project. Your answers will assist HRECs in considering your proposal. A tick in some of these boxes will generate additional questions relevant to your proposal (mainly because the National Statement requires additional ethical matters to be considered), which will appear in Section 9 of NEAF. This project involves: [X] Research using quantitative methods, population level data or databanks, e.g survey research, epidemiological research NS 3.2 5.1.2 Does the research involve limited disclosure to participants? NS 2.3

No

5.1.3 Are the applicants asking the HREC / review body to waive the requirement of consent? NS 2.3.5

No

5.2. Research plan 5.2.1 Describe the theoretical, empirical and/or conceptual basis, and background evidence, for the research proposal, eg. previous studies, anecdotal evidence, review of literature, prior observation, laboratory or animal studies (4000 character limit). NS 1.1 Physical inactivity remains one of the leading modifiable causes of death and disease in Australia. National Australian physical activity surveys indicate that less than half of the adult Australian population are sufficiently active to obtain health benefits. It has been estimated that physical inactivity contributes to more than 8,000 deaths in Australia each year, and that for every 1% of the Australian population who would become sufficiently physically active, some $7.2 million in health care costs could be saved. Novel approaches for increasing physical activity, with potential to reach broad populations at an acceptable cost, are required. Over the past decade there has been unprecedented growth in Internet use world-wide. In 2007-2008 there were over 4.3 million Australian households with broadband Internet access (52% of all homes), a five-fold increase over the past ten years. This exponential growth has been paralleled by research into the beneficial uses of the Internet in terms of social marketing and health promotion. In the Australian context the 10,000 Steps project is an exemplar of a physical activity social marketing/health promotion program that has successfully used the Internet to extend the reach of the program beyond its initial project mandate as a whole-of-community intervention, known as 10,000 Steps Rockhampton. We seek to test the efficacy of web 2.0 applications in the engagement and retention of, and physical activity behaviour in, people who access a publicly available physical activity promotion website (10,000 Steps). The proposal consists of two studies which seek to achieve the overall aim of the projects - a randomised control trial (RCT) and a 'real world' ecological trial (ET). The RCT will allow us to study the problem in a rigorous, controlled setting with high internal validity. The ET, by comparison, takes advantage of the unique 'real world' sample available to the research team through the existing 10,000 Steps website, which currently has over 95,000 registered users and attracts, On average, over 1,000 new registrants per month. The approach in this application is highly novel as it tests the benefits of new generation Web 2.0 applications in terms of engagement and retention, and relates these behaviours to the outcome measure of public health interest; physical activity in a rigorous randomised control trial and in an ecologically valid setting that few researchers may ever be able to match. Outcomes of this project offer the promise of increased understanding of methods and techniques that may increase the effectiveness of the internet, a tool whose reach is expanding at a rate that is currently exceeding our grasp in terms of research into the understanding of the applications that can be effectively used to engage individuals and promote health at the population level. 5.2.2 State the aims of the research and the research question and/or hypotheses, where appropriate. The overall aim of the project is to study the effectiveness of new generation Web 2.0 applications in physical activity health promotion. Aim 1: To develop and test the usability of a physical activity promotion website featuring Web 2.0 applications. Aim 2: To study the relative efficacy of web 2.0 applications in terms of physical activity behavioural change compared to an existing conventional (Web 1.0) web-based physical activity promotion site and control group.


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Aim 3: To study the utility of web 2.0 applications in the engagement and retention in an ecologically valid setting through the use of web 2.0 applications within an existing, publicly available physical activity health promotion web-site. To accomplish these aims a series of hypotheses and research questions have been established. Randomised Control Trial The hypotheses that will be tested are: • There will be significantly greater engagement during the course of the study with the Web 2.0 website, as measured by website tracking software, when compared to the Web 1.0 website. • There will be significantly greater retention on the website in the Web 2.0 arm of the study than in the conventional (Web 1.0) condition. • Participants in the Web 2.0 condition will display higher energy expenditure (accelerometry) and higher levels of physical activity (Active Australia) at 3, 12 and 24 months post intervention than in the Web 1.0 or control condition. .• There will be a lower decline in physical activity levels across time (within subject) in the Web 2.0 condition than in the Web 1.0 Condition or control condition. The hypotheses relevant to the randomised control trial will be addressed by the following research questions: 1). Is there a significant change in levels of physical activity across a 3, 12 and 24 month period for participants accessing an internet-based physical activity promotion website compared to a control group? 2). Is there a significant difference in physical activity behaviour between individuals utilising a first generation (Web 1.0) site, those utilising a second generation (Web 2.0) website, and a control group? 3). Are there differences in physical activity recidivism between Web 1.0 and Web 2.0 platforms across a 12and 24- month period? Ecological Trial The Hypotheses tested are: • There will be significantly greater engagement during the course of the study with the Web 2.0 website, as measured by website tracking software, when compared to the Web 1:0 website. • There will be significantly greater retention on the website across the course of the study in the Web 2.0 arm of the study than in the conventional (Web 1.0) condition. • Participants in the Web 2.0 condition will display higher levels of physical activity (Active Australia Survey) at 3 months, 1 and 2-years post intervention than in the Web 1.0 condition. • There will be a lower decline in physical activity levels across time (within subject) in the Web 2.0 condition than in the Web 1.0 Condition. The hypotheses relevant to the ecological trial will be addressed by the following research questions: 1). Is there a significant change in levels of physical activity across a 3, 12 and 24 month period for participants accessing an internet-based physical activity promotion website? 2). Is there a significant difference in physical activity behaviour between individuals utilising a first generation (Web 1.0) site and those utilising a second generation (Web 2.0) website? 3). Are there differences in engagement and retention of participates between first generation (Web 1.0) and second generation (Web 2.0) platforms across a 12- and 24- month period? 5.2.3 Has this project been undertaken previously?

No

5.3. Benefits/Risks 5.3.0 Does the research involve a practice or intervention which is an alternative to a standard practice or intervention?

No

5.3.2 What expected benefits (if any) will this research have for the wider community? This efficacy testing is an essential preliminary process for the use of web content that can be utilised successfully in engaging individuals in greater levels of physical activity. By conducting this research, content that is effective in achieving increases in physical activity can be evaluated and the longevity of resulting behaviour modification can be assessed. If the tool is found to be effective, the expected benefits of the research include an intervention that may be made available to the wider community which can increase positive health behaviours, particularly in relation to physical activity participation. This, in turn, can contribute to decreased prevalence of chronic disease associated with physical inactivity in the wider community.


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5.3.3 What expected benefits (if any) will this research have for participants? NS 2.1 Participants in this research will receive health benefits through increased opportunities for physical activity. Such health benefits may include improved cardiovascular and cardio-respiratory fitness, reduced risk of chronic illness and disease, improved sleep, lower blood pressure, and decreased percentage body fat. In addition, participants have the opportunity to contribute to the development of an intervention conducted within their local community, which may be made available to the wider community in the future if found to be effective. 5.3.4 Are there any risks to participants as a result of participation in this research project? NS 2.1

Yes

5.3.5 Explain how the likely benefit of the research justifies the risks of harm or discomfort to participants. NS 1.6

The research may expose participants to longer durations of physical activity, at levels in accordance with normal daily activity. However, participants will be encouraged to achieve 10,000 steps per day which correlates with a moderate level of physical activity and is beneficial to health. Therefore, participants should not experience greater physical stress or exertion through participation in this research. Participants may experience some inconvenience in completing online surveys and wearing Actigraph® physical activity monitors. This inconvenience is seen to be outweighed by the health benefits of participation. 5.3.8 Are there any other risks involved in this research? eg. to the research team, the organisation, others

No

5.3.9 Is it anticipated that the research will lead to commercial benefit for the investigator(s) and or the research sponsor(s)?

No

5.3.11 Is there a risk that the dissemination of results could cause harm of any kind to No individual participants - whether their physical, psychological, spiritual, emotional, social or financial well-being, or to their employability or professional relationships - or to their communities?

5.4. Monitoring Refer to NS 3.3.19 - 3.3.25

5.4.1 What mechanisms do the researchers / investigators intend to implement to monitor the conduct and progress of the research project? NS 5.5 The conduct and progress of this research will be monitored by the Project Steering Committee (Principal Investigators and Project Manager) which will meet monthly for the duration of the project. In addition, this research is subject to monitoring milestones by the funding body. Annual progress reports will be submitted by the project investigators and study sites have agreed to data storage and process auditing in accordance with the NHRMC guidelines.


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6. PARTICIPANTS 6.1. Research participants 6.1.1 The National Statement identifies the need to pay additional attention to ethical issues associated with research involving certain specific populations. This question aims to assist you and the HREC to identify and address ethical issues that are likely to arise in your research, if its design will include one or more of these populations. Further, the National Statement recognizes the cultural diversity of Australia’s population and the importance of respect for that diversity in the recruitment and involvement of participants. Your answer to this question will guide you to additional questions (if any) relevant to the participants in your study.

6.1.1 Tick as many of the following 'types of research participants’ who will be included because of the project design, or their inclusion is probable, given the diversity of Australia’s population. If none apply, please indicate this below. Children and/or young people (ie.