Prompts to increase physical activity at points-of-choice between stairs and escalators: what about escalator climbers?

Promoting Stair Use is Possible by Displaying Signs, Even for Stairs of 80 or 105 Steps

Installing signs is known to be effective in encouraging people to use stairs instead of escalators. However, it has been reported that the effectiveness of such signs is diminished as the number of stairs increases, and no effect was reported at 44 steps. Thus, this study examined whether stair use could be promoted even with 80 or 105 steps by presenting specific numerical values for the health benefits of using stairs. At two universities with parallel escalators and stairs (105 and 80 steps, respectively), we installed signs stating, "Going up one flight of stairs increases your life span by 4 seconds." A one-week baseline period was followed by a one-week intervention using signs displayed to passersby. Follow-up data were also collected for one week immediately after removing the signs. Measurements were collected Monday through Friday from 7:30 to 9:15 a.m. The number of passersby was recorded by categorizing them into four attributes: male and female students, and male and female faculty/staff. A total of 25,065 observations (963 stair users vs. 24,102 escalator users) at University A and 25,677 observations (1020 stair users vs. 24,657 escalator users) at University B were recorded. Sign installation promoted stair use at University A (odds ratio [OR], 1.513; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.307-1.752) and University B (OR, 1.221; 95% CI, 1.046-1.425). However, there was no effect of the sign installation on the population with attributes that had a high percentage of stair use prior to this study, implying that there is a ceiling effect on the effectiveness of such signs. The implication of the findings is that it is effective to provide detailed information to passersby on the health benefits of stair use for stairs with 80 or 105 steps.

Burden of disability in type 2 diabetes mellitus and the moderating effects of physical activity

The growing diabetic epidemic has created a substantial burden, not only on the people with diabetes but also on society at large. This mini-review discussed the limitations and patterns of disability in type 2 diabetes mellitus and put forward a case for the moderating effects of physical activity (PA) in the management of diabetes. The limitations and impairments associated with diabetes include vascular, neurological, cardiac, and renal impairments. Moreover, individuals participate less in their daily lives and in their instrumental activities of daily living, which negatively impacts the quality of life of individuals with diabetes. This often leads to a loss of quality of life due to disabilities, resulting in an increased rate of disability-adjusted life years among people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Moreover, there are psychosocial sequelae of diabetes mellitus. This necessitates looking for moderating factors that may reduce the burden of the disease. PA has been shown to be one of the factors that can mitigate these burdens. PA does this in several ways, including through the benefits it confers, such as a reduction of hemoglobin A1c, a reduction of excess fat in the liver and pancreas, and the reduction of cardiovascular risk factors, all of which favorably affect glycemic parameters. Specifically, PA regulates or moderates diabetes disability through two mechanisms: The regulation of glucolipid metabolism disorders and the optimization of body mass index and systemic conditions. Therefore, efforts should be directed at PA uptake through identified strategies. This will not only prevent diabetes or diabetes complications but will reduce its burden.

Stair versus elevator use in a university residence hall setting

OBJECTIVE

Determine the temporal and spatial characteristics of stairs versus elevator use in a university residence hall to inform future physical activity promotion efforts.

PARTICIPANTS

All residents and visitors for a single, four-story residence hall dormitory building located on a college campus in Orange, CA.

METHODS

Smart mat systems capable of detecting pedestrian traffic were placed in front of the stairs and elevators on each floor plus a basement. Generalized additive mixed models (GAMMs) were used to compare stair versus elevator usage at different times of the day and on different floors.

RESULTS

Stair versus elevator use varied much more throughout the day on floors nearest to the ground floor, with stair use most common in the morning. Overall, the elevator was used more frequently on higher floors, with less variation throughout the day.

CONCLUSION

To be most effective, future stair promotion interventions should target residents on higher floors and in the morning.