Piloting the effectiveness of the Workout on Wheels Internet Intervention (WOWii) program among individuals with mobility disabilities

Background

Doing any amount of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity yields health benefits. Individuals with mobility disabilities are among the least physically active Americans and limited evidence indicates effective strategies to promote physical activity among this group.

Objective

Examine whether a 16-week virtual intervention program (Workout on Wheels internet intervention, WOWii) increases exercise engagement among mobility impaired individuals.

Methods

Participants recruited through community organizations that provide services to individuals with disabilities. The WOWii program is comprised of 3 core components: 16 weeks of virtual intervention delivery and access to the WOWii website; staff and peer support; an exercise package that included an activity tracker and heart rate monitor, pedal exerciser, and therabands.

Results

Ten people enrolled. Participants demonstrated good program engagement, attending an average of 14.1 ± 2.1 of the 16 virtual meetings and completing an average of 10.6 ± 5.6 weekly activities. Exercise data revealed that participants increased their time spent in aerobic exercise from an average of two days a week performing 32 ± 22 min during week one to an average of five days a week doing 127 ± 143 min in the final WOWii week. Only half continued to exercise over the two months once WOWii virtual meetings ended.

Conclusion

WOWii program delivery successfully promoted increased exercise participation for people with mobility disabilities over the 16 intervention weeks. Future studies should investigate approaches to promote exercise maintenance beyond program delivery.