title: Prompts to increase stair climbing in stations: the effect of message complexity.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  While point-of-choice prompts consistently increase stair climbing, experimental comparisons of message content are rare. Here, the effects of 2 messages differing in complexity about the health outcomes obtainable from stair climbing were compared.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a UK train station with 2 independent platforms exited by identical 39-step staircases and adjacent escalators, observers recorded travelers ascent method and gender from 8:00 A.M. to 10:00 A.M. on 2 weekdays during February/March 2008 (n = 48,697). Baseline observations (2-weeks) preceded a 3-week poster phase. Two posters (594 × 841 mm) that differed in the complexity of the message were positioned at the point-of-choice between ascent methods, with 1 placed on each side of the station simultaneously. Logistic regression analysis was conducted in April 2010.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Omnibus analysis contained main effects of the intervention (OR = 1.07, CI = 1.02-1.13, P = .01) and pedestrian traffic volume (OR = 5.42, CI = 3.05-9.62, P < .001). Similar effects occurred for complex (OR = 1.10, CI = 1.02-1.18, P = .01) and simple messages (OR = 1.07, CI = 1.01-1.13, P = .02) when analyses controlled for the influence of pedestrian traffic volume. There was reduced efficacy for the complex message during busier periods (OR = 0.36, CI = 0.20-0.66, P = .001), whereas the simple message was immune to these effects of traffic volume.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pedestrian traffic flow in stations can influence message effectiveness. Simple messages appear more suitable for busy sites.
authors.affiliation: Dept of Primary Care Clinical Sciences, The University of Birmingham, Birmingham, West Midlands, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Amanda Louise
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: Frank F
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Eves
mesh_terms: D002755:Choice Behavior; D004777:Environment; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012737:Sex Factors; D006113:United Kingdom; D016138:Walking