Getting More People on the Stairs: The Impact of a New Message Format
Abstract
Previous research has found that poster prompts are associated with significant increases in stair use. The present study examined the use of messages on the stair risers, as an alternative to posters, to encourage stair climbing. Observers monitored shoppers' stair and escalator use over a 2-week baseline and 6-week intervention period. The prevalence of stair use increased from a baseline value of 8.1 percent to 18.3 percent when the motivating messages were in place. This increase is greater than that found in studies that used poster prompts in shopping centre venues. The apparent advantage of stair-riser banners is discussed in terms of their visibility and attractiveness, as well as their capacity to present multiple messages likely to appeal to a broader constituency. It is concluded that promoters of physical activity should use colourful, tailored stair-riser banners, rather than posters, to encourage stair climbing.
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Incorporation of motivating messages was found to increase use of stairs from 8.1% to 18.3% over a 6-week intervention.
“Incorporation of motivating messages was found to increase use of stairs from 8.1% to 18.3% over a 6-week intervention.130”
From Population Approaches to Improve Diet, Physical Activity, and Smoking Habits: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association (2012) · cites this paper as [130]
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- Authors
- Kerr, J., Eves, F. F., & Carroll, D.
- Affiliations
- University of Birmingham (GB)
- Venue
- Journal of Health Psychology
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2001-09
- Volume
- 6
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 495-500
- ISSN
- 1359-1053 (ISSN-L)
- 1461-7277
- OpenAlex
- W2084711781
- Cited by
- 61
- References
- 28
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2022: 2 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 3
- FWCI
- 0.98
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Health Psychology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- University of Birmingham Research Portal (University of Birmingham) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Behavioral Health and Interventions
- Social Sciences › Transportation › Urban Transport and Accessibility
- Keywords
- stair climbing, message format, physical activity promotion, shopping centers, message tailoring, behavior change
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