Active Living Program News
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute–Funded Study to Explore Use of ALED
Article submitted by Michele Guerra on behalf of the study research team
A persistent challenge for both researchers and health promotion practitioners is that many evidence-based physical activity interventions do not find their way to the people who need them. A new study funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute seeks to explore how to bridge this gap between science and practice. This study, titled “Study of the Naturalistic Dissemination Process of an Evidence-Based Program,” is exploring the use of ALED to learn how organizations from various settings choose and deliver physical activity programs.
The lead scientist for this project is Andrea Dunn, one of the developers of the prototype for ALED, Project Active. Dr. Dunn’s research team will examine organizational factors that predict the adoption and maintenance of ALED. ALED was chosen for the project because of its strong evidence base and because it has been used in a variety of settings, including government, education, health care, worksites, community agencies, and fitness facilities.
The three-year study is gathering data via both online surveys and phone interviews. The first online survey was sent out in July. This survey was sent to organizations that considered ALED but did not choose to use it and organizations who have become providers. Here are some of the questions asked:
- How organizations made the decision whether to adopt ALED
- Reasons behind their decision to use or not use ALED
- Characteristics of their organizations
The survey takes 20 to 30 minutes to complete. People completing the survey will receive a $50 MasterCard gift card. All information collected by the research team is confidential.
Human Kinetics has supported this study by providing a list of organizations who have considered using ALED or who have become licensed providers. Human Kinetics is not a sponsor of the study, however, and has no influence on the methods or results. They will not receive any information about any individual participating organizations. But Human Kinetics and all others interested in the results of the study will receive publications about how we might better disseminate programs with proven effectiveness. If you are interested in the results of this study, please send an e-mail to adunn@kleinbuendel.com.
The research team for this multidisciplinary study includes investigators from Klein-Buendel, Kaiser Permanente, and Healthy-Ever-Afters. The investigators have expertise in the areas of health communication and dissemination, exercise psychology, biostatistics, and health promotion.
Active Living Program News Archive
