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A statistical summary of mall-based stair-climbing interventions
Oliver J Webb1, Frank F Eves, Jacqueline Kerr
1School of Sport, Exercise, and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, United Kingdom.
Journal of Physical Activity & Health
|May 21, 2011
Summary
Simple poster and banner prompts in malls significantly increase stair climbing. These interventions are more effective than traditional mass media campaigns for promoting physical activity.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Behavioral Science
- Exercise Promotion
Background:
- Stair climbing offers significant health benefits and is an accessible form of physical activity.
- Mall environments present opportunities for interventions to promote stair use over escalators.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of mall-based stair-climbing interventions using poster/banner prompts.
- To identify moderators influencing pedestrian stair/escalator choice.
Main Methods:
- A meta-analysis of six studies using logistic regression on over 127,000 pedestrian choices.
- Analysis controlled for demographics, intervention conditions, and traffic volume.
Main Results:
- Stair choice was higher among men, younger individuals, Whites, those without children, and during high traffic periods.
- Interventions increased stair climbing by 109% (OR=2.09), with notable differences across demographics.
- Intervention effects showed a slight decrease in the latter half of the study period.
Conclusions:
- Simple poster/banner prompts in malls can increase stair climbing by 6.0%, surpassing the 5.0% increase from conventional mass media campaigns.
- These findings highlight the potential of low-cost environmental cues for promoting physical activity in public spaces.
