Promoting active living: A step in the right direction

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Abstract
Objective—To evaluate the effect of a motivational sign encouraging stair use in preference to use of an adjacent escalator. Setting—Glasgow city centre underground station. Design—Signs stating ‘Stay healthy, Save time, Take the Stairs’ were placed in prominent situations, at the point of choice between escalator and stair use, for a period of three weeks. Records of the percentage of passengers using the stairs and escalators were made on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 8.30 and 10.00am on a selection of eight weeks, during a 16 week period. In total 22,275 observations were made. The mean number of passengers recorded daily was 928 (range 820–1026). Many were daily commuters. Main outcome measure—The change in percentage stair use between each of the seven post intervention weeks and the baseline. Results—The percentage of passengers using the stairs increased from 8 per cent at baseline to 15–17 per cent during the intervention. Stair use remained significantly higher than baseline for 12 weeks after the sign was removed although there was a clear downward trend. Although women used the stairs less than men at baseline they showed a significantly larger relative increase in stair use over the intervention period. Conclusions—Stair climbing can be significantly increased by motivational signs. Similar simple, inexpensive interventions may help alter health related behaviour in other settings.

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