title: The use of point-of-decision prompts to increase stair climbing in Singapore.
abstract: Physical inactivity is a significant contributor to worldwide mortality and morbidity associated with non-communicable diseases. An excellent avenue to incorporate lifestyle physical activity into regular routine is to encourage the use of stairs during daily commutes. We evaluated the effectiveness of point-of-decision prompts (PODPs) in promoting the use of stairs instead of the escalators in a Singapore Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station. We measured the number of stair climbers before the PODPs were put up, during the 4 weeks that they were in use, and 2 weeks after they were removed. Measurements at a no intervention control site were additionally taken. The use of  stair-riser banners was associated with an increase in the number of people using the stairs by a factor of 1.49 (95% CI 1.34-1.64). After the banners were removed, the number of stair climbers at the experimental station dropped to slightly below baseline levels. The Singapore MRT serves a diverse multi-ethnic population with an average daily ridership of over 2 million and 88 stations island-wide. An increase of physical activity among these MRT commuters would have a large impact at the population level. Our findings can be translated into part of the national strategy to encourage an active lifestyle in Singaporeans.
authors.affiliation: Physical Activity Center of Excellence, Health Promotion Board, 3 Second Hospital Ave, S168937, Singapore. Robert_Alan_Sloan@HPB.gov.sg
authors.forename: Robert Alan
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Sloan
authors.forename: Benjamin Adam
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Haaland
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.forename: Falk
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Müller-Riemenschneider
mesh_terms: D004607:Elevators and Escalators; D015444:Exercise; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010565:Persuasive Communication; D012846:Singapore; D040241:Social Marketing; D016138:Walking