The Use of Point-of-Decision Prompts to Increase Stair Climbing in Singapore

Robert Alan Sloan, Benjamin Adam Haaland, Carol Leung and Falk Müller-Riemenschneider
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Robert Alan Sloan: Physical Activity Center of Excellence, Health Promotion Board, 3 Second Hospital Ave, S168937, Singapore
Benjamin Adam Haaland: Center for Quantitative Medicine, Office of Clinical Science, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, 8 College Road, S169857, Singapore
Carol Leung: Physical Activity Center of Excellence, Health Promotion Board, 3 Second Hospital Ave, S168937, Singapore
Falk Müller-Riemenschneider: Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, 16 Medical Drive, S117597, Singapore

IJERPH, 2013, vol. 10, issue 1, 1-9

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.

Keywords: point-of-decision prompts; physical activity; health promotion; stairs; Asia (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2013
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