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Signage Interventions for Stair Climbing at Work: More than 700,000 Reasons for Caution

Author

Listed:
  • Anna Puig-Ribera

    (Departament de Ciències de l’Activitat Física, Centre d’Estudis Sanitaris i Socials, Universitat de Vic-Universitat Central de Catalunya, 08500 Barcelona, Vic, Spain)

  • Anna M. Señé-Mir

    (Departament de Ciències de l’Activitat Física, Centre d’Estudis Sanitaris i Socials, Universitat de Vic-Universitat Central de Catalunya, 08500 Barcelona, Vic, Spain)

  • Guy A. H. Taylor-Covill

    (School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK)

  • Núria De Lara

    (Agència de Salut Pública de Catalunya, 08023 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Douglas Carroll

    (School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK)

  • Amanda Daley

    (Department of General Practice, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK)

  • Roger Holder

    (Department of General Practice, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK)

  • Erica Thomas

    (School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK)

  • Raimon Milà

    (Departament de Salut i Acció Social, Universitat de Vic-Universitat Central de Catalunya, 08500 Barcelona, Vic, Spain)

  • Frank F. Eves

    (School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK)

Abstract

Increased stair climbing reduces cardiovascular disease risk. While signage interventions for workplace stair climbing offer a low-cost tool to improve population health, inconsistent effects of intervention occur. Pedestrian movement within the built environment has major effects on stair use, independent of any health initiative. This paper used pooled data from UK and Spanish workplaces to test the effects of signage interventions when pedestrian movement was controlled for in analyses. Automated counters measured stair and elevator usage at the ground floor throughout the working day. Signage interventions employed previously successful campaigns. In the UK, minute-by-minute stair/elevator choices measured effects of momentary pedestrian traffic at the choice-point ( n = 426,605). In Spain, aggregated pedestrian traffic every 30 min measured effects for ‘busyness’ of the building ( n = 293,300). Intervention effects on stair descent (3 of 4 analyses) were more frequent than effects on stair climbing, the behavior with proven health benefits (1 of 4 analyses). Any intervention effects were of small magnitude relative to the influence of pedestrian movement. Failure to control for pedestrian movement compromises any estimate for signage effectiveness. These pooled data provide limited evidence that signage interventions for stair climbing at work will enhance population health.

Suggested Citation

  • Anna Puig-Ribera & Anna M. Señé-Mir & Guy A. H. Taylor-Covill & Núria De Lara & Douglas Carroll & Amanda Daley & Roger Holder & Erica Thomas & Raimon Milà & Frank F. Eves, 2019. "Signage Interventions for Stair Climbing at Work: More than 700,000 Reasons for Caution," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-13, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:19:p:3782-:d:274302
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Coleman, K.J. & Gonzalez, E.C., 2001. "Promoting stair use in a US-Mexico border community," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 91(12), pages 2007-2009.
    2. Boutelle, K.N. & Jeffery, R.W. & Murray, D.M. & Schmitz, M.K.H., 2001. "Using signs, artwork, and music to promote stair use in a public building," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 91(12), pages 2004-2006.
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    Cited by:

    1. Febriani F. Ekawati & Michael J. White & Frank F. Eves, 2022. "Interrupting Pedestrians in Indonesia; Effect of Climate on Perceived Steepness and Stair Climbing Behaviour," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-12, December.

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