The purpose of this thesis was to aid in the development of a web-based physical activity intervention for people with type 2 diabetes living in remote and rural areas. Chapter 1 introduces the research area, the design of the thesis and the key research questions. The thesis is then made up of 5 key studies. Study one, a systematic review of the literature was conducted and reported in chapter 2. This review identified the technologies that have previously been used to promote physical activity in type 2 diabetes, it identified the methodological quality of each included technology and the key components for effective change. Web based technology was the most commonly used and the most effective in increasing physical activity using components such as goal setting and physical activity trackers. These results informed study 2 (chapter 3) which explored patient and health professional's views on diabetes, physical activity and use of the internet. The need for clear information was identified with regard to diabetes as well as the call for accurate physical activity advice in relation to diabetes for both patients and health professionals. Study 3 (chapter 4) explored key information and components for an effective website. Included features were the need for a personalised approach; detailed advice on how the body responds to physical activity; a physical activity tracker and goal setting. The need for a 'virtual trainer' for support, advice and help with goal setting and interactive maps showing physical activity opportunities were all deemed important. The fourth study, chapter 5 described the design of the website and its features as well as the protocol for a six month pilot randomised controlled trial to examine the effectiveness of the development website, with and without interactive design elements. The final study in this thesis (chapter 6), describes the physical activity, physiological and biochemical results from a randomised controlled trial to test the effectiveness of the website and its features. The final chapter summarises the findings in response to the research questions and the future recommendations based on the outcomes.

In last several years the amount of physical activities during our day time seriously decreased. That phenomenon was caused by reduction of physically demanding works in our jobs and sitting way of spending free time. The result of the previous fact is population fitness worsening and consequently worsening of the labour productivity and health condition. The fitness is tightly connected with the relationship between a man and a movement and sporting activities. It should become the important part of the healthy life style and influence the formation of proper manners of every single man. The fitness is one of the markers of the cardiovascular system condition. And it is considered to be the certain sum of preconditions for optimal reaction on the stress of whatever cause. The regular training, the physical activity and the daily reasonable energetic income are the safest and the least economically demanding ways how to prevent civilisation diseases. The first task of the theses was to assess the fitness of women students of The University of South Bohemia. The fitness was assessed on the base of Ruffier?s test. The second task was to compare the fitness of several groups of students which represented every single faculty of The University of South Bohemia. The both tasks were completed. Two hypotheses were settled and confirmed in purpose to reach the goal of the theses. H1: The numerological value of the Rufier?s test of women students of the Faculty of Education is lower than the result of women from the other faculties. H2: Women students whose result of Ruffier?s test is 0-5 are spending more time by performing physical activity than other students. In this theses, Ruffier?s test as a non-direct way of assessing the fitness has been chosen to confirm the both hypotheses. Ruffier?s test is a simple test to asses the fitness which uses changes of the hearth rate before and after exercising. The test is based on the general premise that the hard body exercising which last for a longer period of time is connected with the rising of heart rate. The heart rate was recorded by sport tester. Heart rate values were set into the pattern for counting the index of Ruffier?s test and consequently classified. Averages of the Ruffier?s index of each faculty were measured and compared. The questionnaire was ad to the Ruffier?s index for better assessing the fitness of students. The questionnaire was composed by thirteen questions. Some of questions were of open and some of close type. The questionnaires were anonymous. Hypothesis H1 was confirmed. The average value of the Ruffier?s index for women students of the pedagogical faculty was 10,7. And the average value of the Ruffier?s index for women students of other faculties was 13. It means the average fitness of women students of pedagogical faculty is better than the average fitness of women students of other faculties. Hypothesis H2 confirmed the correlation between the time spending by physical exercising and the better fitness. The more times weekly women students exercise for more than 30 minutes a day the lower value of the Ruffier?s index they have. The assumption of the average values of the Ruffier?s index of those women from 0 to 5 was overstated. Women student in this project had the average values from 10 to 15 which mean worse values of fitness. Despite the worse values of Ruffier?s index, the correlation between the spending time by exercising and better fitness was confirmed. To sum up, there is a recommendation to compensate the simple monotone physical activity by wide spectrum of physical activities. The sport should be introduced into the life style. The person with a good fitness has less problems with movement, can work for a longer time without break, is strong and capable to fulfil everyday tasks with reserves. The process of improving the fitness is a run for a long distance but it should be the goal of all people no matter of how old they are.

Although fine motor performance declines with increasing age, older adults are able to improve their performance with motor practice. However, existing studies show mixed results regarding an effect of age on the amount of learning. Moreover, less is known about how age- and learning dependent behavioral changes are reflected on a neurophysiological level. Alpha and, especially, beta power assessed using electroencephalography (EEG) represent reliable markers of neurophysiological processes during motor task performance that need more attention in aging literature. Moreover, acute cardiovascular exercise has been shown to improve motor performance and trigger motor learning processes in young adults. However, this promising approach has not been considered in aging literature so far. Furthermore, the physical fitness level seems to be positively associated with motor performance and motor learning processes. But again, less is known about this association in healthy older adults. Both approaches might help to better understand or even counteract age-related changes in fine motor performance and motor learning. To explore these research topics, two empirical studies were conducted within this dissertation project. In both studies, motor performance and motor learning were assessed on a behavioral level using a precision grip force modulation task. The force modulation task required participants to match a visually presented sinusoidal target force by applying isometric force with the thumb and index finger to a force plate. Processes on a neurophysiological level were measured with an EEG and analyzed with a main focus on (alpha and) beta power. Study 1 aimed to further characterize age-related differences in fine motor performance and motor learning on a behavioral and neurophysiological level. Furthermore, key influencing factors that determine fine motor performance and motor learning in older adults on a behavioral level were investigated. Hence, a sample of young adults and older adults performed a short-term motor learning session, conducted a cardiovascular fitness test, motor fitness tests, and strengths tests. Study 2 focused on the effects of a session of acute exercise on fine motor performance and motor learning in a sample of healthy older adults. Participants were assigned to an experimental group (performing a session of acute cardiovascular moderate intensity exercise on a stationary bicycle) or a control group (listening to an audiobook). Both groups performed a motor learning experiment over two consecutive days. Young adults outperformed older adults in terms of performance variability, temporal precision, and force precision in the force modulation task. The lower behavioral performance was accompanied by higher beta activity in parietal and occipital areas. Although results were different with respect to the analyzed parameter, overall, the amount of motor learning in the force modulation task was not diminished in older adults compared to young adults. Beta power during motor performance was not affected by motor practice. However, beta power at rest increased from pre practice to post practice, especially in older adults. Fine motor performance of older adults was increased more directly after an acute cardiovascular exercise session than after rest. Moreover, frontal beta activity was higher directly after exercise, pointing to better cognitive resources to perform the task after exercise than after rest. Third, a high cardiovascular fitness level predicted a good fine motor performance in the force modulation task in older adults. Findings of the current dissertation project enhance the understanding of age-related changes in fine motor performance and motor learning using a precision grip force modulation task. Furthermore, approaches are presented that counteract age-related changes, improve motor functions, and determine good levels of fine motor performance in healthy older adults.