title: Comparison of health promotion and deterrent prompts in increasing use of stairs over escalators.
abstract: This study compared the effectiveness of two point-of-decision prompts within the same environmental setting. The effects of a health promotion sign were compared with activity change resulting from a deterrent sign. Individuals were observed using the upward stairs or upward escalator at a midwest regional air port during a 5-week period in which intervention signs were compared with no sign conditions on activity choice. During Weeks 1, 3, and 5 behaviors were assessed without any prompts. During Week 2, a health promotion sign was posted at the behavioral choice point which read "Keep your heart healthy, use the stairs." During Week 4, a deterrent sign which read "Please limit escalator use to staff and those unable to use the stairs" was posted at the same behavioral choice point. Younger (<40) women (14.8%) and men (10.8%) used the stairs more frequently, followed by older women (9.3%) and older men (6.9%). A hierarchical log linear analysis showed that stair use increased during both interventions, which was significantly moderated by age. Point-of-decision prompts appear to be effective environmental interventions for promoting increases in physical activity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Education, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston 61920, USA. cfwdr@eiu.edu
authors.forename: W D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Russell
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hutchinson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000329:Advertising / Q000379:methods*; D003657:Decision Making; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D014186:Transportation / Q000379:methods*; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*