Originally this post linked to the sites hosting the iStep web-based intervention. The Innovage project has now ended. As a result, the original test site and live site sites for this implementation have now been taken down.
iStep Summary
iStep was a web site built by Sheffield Hallam University as part of the EU funded project Innovage. Using user-centred design principles, the Innovage project aimed to both promote and enable healthy, active lifestyles. It explored ways to reduce levels of problematic obesity in increasingly ageing populations. The site was the primary deliverable for Innovage work package 4. Work package 4 focused on improving obesity-related outcomes. iStep stands for ‘Inter-generational Support To Encourage Physical Activity’.
The concept was relatively simple. Firstly a younger person and an older person would form a partnership. Usually, this was a grandchild and a grandparent. Each person received a cheap pedometer. At the end of each day, one person from the pair (or both) could login and record how many steps they managed. The site presented a game-like feel, with teams, players, options, a goal and competition. The site showed users an animated map of their progress along local well-known walks. Animated walks included the Trans Pennine Trail and the Sheffield Round Walk. Users could see how much activity they had completed and compare their progress to that of other pairs, creating competition.
Remaining Resources
The following resources remain online:
