Promoting workplace stair climbing: sometimes, not interfering is the best

Abstract

BackgroundStair climbing is a vigorous activity and can lead to several health benefits. Studies seeking to increase stair climbing in various public locations have shown positive effects, while results from similar studies conducted in the workplace are inconclusive. This study examined stair climbing in the workplace, and monitored effects from a single- and a combined intervention. Interventions were inspired by nudging, the libertarian method of influencing behavior.MethodsBy quasi-experimental design, stair- and elevator traffic in two office buildings was monitored preceding-, during- and following interventions with stair leading footprints alone, and combined with stair-riser banners. Chi square tests were applied to determine differences between baseline and the subsequent periods. Web-based questionnaires were distributed after follow-up period.ResultsElevators and stairs were used 45 237 times, of which 89.6% was stair use. Intervention site stair climbing at baseline (79.0%) was significantly reduced with footprints (-5.1%, p < 0.001), and footprints with stair-riser banners (-5.7%, p < 0.001) while baseline stair climbing at the control site (94.2%) remained stable (p > 0.027).ConclusionsStair climbing was significantly reduced during the intervention periods. Use of stair leading footprints alone, or combined with stair-riser banners in an attempt to influence stair climbing may be ineffective, or cause a negative reaction, when applied in a workplace with a pre-existing high amount of stair climbing.

Choice architecture interventions to change physical activity and sedentary behavior: a systematic review of effects on intention, behavior and health outcomes during and after intervention

“…For behavior, 67.6% of the interventions were effective (38, 40, 41, 43, 45-49, 52, 56-61, 65-70, 73, 75-84, 102, 109, 110, 112-120) 1 , 13.2% showed mixed effects [51,52,55,64,72,73,75,103] and 19.1% did not show an effect in presence of the intervention [43,45,56,63,65,66,89,95,101,105,109,111]. After removal of the intervention, 47.1% of the interventions showed a significant effect (40,43,45,47,49,58,61,67,77,82,86,97,110,118) 1 , 14.7% showed mixed effects [39,52,75,112,115] and 38.2% did not show an effect [43,49,69,73,81,90,93...…”

“…Prompting interventions lasted between 1 day [41] and 3.5 years [64]. Among the 50 studies that looked into the effect of prompting on physical activity in presence of the intervention, 37 (74.0%) reported a significant effect (38, 40, 41, 43, 45, 47-49, 52, 56-61, 65-70, 73, 75-84, 110, 114) 1 , eight (16.0%) reported mixed effects [51,52,55,64,72,73,75,79] and seven (14.0%) reported no effect [43,45,56,63,65,66,109]. Twenty-one studies measured the effect of prompts on physical activity after removal of the intervention; twelve (57.1%) reported a significant effect (40,43,45,47,49,58,61,67,77,82,110) 1 , three (14.3%) reported mixed effects [39,52,75] and six (28.6%) reported no effect [43,49,69,73,81,114].…”

Overstepping the boundaries of free choice: Folk beliefs on free will and determinism in real world contexts

“…These methods often, though not exclusively, rely on purported indirect methods of persuasion, such as presenting artwork on stairwells to encourage people to use the stairs instead of elevators (e.g. (Åvitsland, Solbraa, & Riiser, 2017;Kerr, Eves, & Carroll, 2001;Marshall et al, 2002), or the use default options, such as opt-in investment and pension funds (e.g., Benartzi et al, 2017). There has been considerable discussion on whether these methods are ethical assuming that they do change people's behaviour without them being aware of the basis for that change (for review see -Lin, Ashcroft, Osman, 2018;Osman, Lin, Ashcroft, 2018).…”

Whom Do We Trust on Social Policy Interventions?

“…plausible). To encourage more exercise nudges have been employed in stairwells to entice people to use them more (Åvitsland, Solbraa, & Riiser, 2017;Kerr, Eves, & Carroll, 2001;Marshall et al, 2002). To improving personal finance (e.g., investments, retirement funds) a pre-selected option is built into products to ease the burden of choice (Benartzi, et al, 2017;Drescher, Roosen, & Marette, 2014).…”