Getting more people on the stairs: The impact of a new message format

Previous research has found that poster prompts are associated with signifi cant increases in stair use. The present study examined the use of messages on the stair risers, as an alternative to posters, to encourage stair clim bing. Observers monitored shoppers' stair and escalator use over a 2-week b aseline and 6-week intervention period. The prevalence of stair use increas ed from a baseline value of 8.1 percent to 18.3 percent when the motivating messages were in place. This increase is greater than that found in studie s that used poster prompts in shopping centre venues. The apparent advantag e of stair-riser banners is discussed in terms of their visibility and attr activeness, as well as their capacity to present multiple messages likely t o appeal to a broader constituency. It is concluded that promoters of physi cal activity should use colourful, tailored stair-riser banners, rather tha n posters, to encourage stair climbing.