Posters in a sample of professional worksites have no effect on objectively measured physical activity.
OBJECTIVE
Whether posters promoting stair use are effective in increasing objectively measured physical activity in a sample of New Zealand professional employees.


METHODS
Forty-six participants (27 men and 19 women) recruited from two professional worksites wore one sealed pedometer during all waking hours (total physical activity [TPV]), and another sealed pedometer during working hours (worksite physical activity [WPV]), for three days over four separate occasions. The study protocol was a crossover design with the first worksite receiving the treatment (posters) for three weeks, followed by a six-week washout period, then a three-week control. The second worksite received the control prior to the treatment period. Measurements were taken at the beginning and end of each three-week block.


RESULTS
The posters were ineffective at increasing objectively measured work and total physical activity levels in this sample. Trivial (0.04) to moderate Cohen effect sizes (-0.79) were shown. When posters were visible in the worksites, mean step counts decreased (-868 steps [WPV], and -1,861 steps [TPV]). Women's step counts (-9% [WPV] and -13% [TPV]) were more negatively affected by the posters' appearance when compared with men (-2% [WPV] and -8% [TPV]).
Badland
Hannah M
HM
Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research, Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand. hannah.badland@aut.ac.nz
Schofield
Grant M
GM
D000288:Administrative Personnel; D000328:Adult; D000329:Advertising / Q000379:methods*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D017132:Workplace