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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Takuo Nomura, PhD, PT¹, Yoshinobu Yoshimoto, PT², Yoshiteru Akezaki, PT², Yutaka Tomita, PT², Takashi Hamakubo, PT², Ryo Fujiwara, OT², Takao Higashi, PT², and Atsushi Sato, PhD³. (1) Department of physical therapy, school of comprehensive rehabilitation, Osaka prefecture university, 3-7-30 Habikino, Osaka, Habikino-City, 583-8555, Japan, +81-729-50-2111, nomurata1017@yahoo.co.jp, (2) Graduate School of Human Life, master's course, Kochi Women's University, 5-15 Eikokuji-cho, kochi, kochi city, 780-8515, Japan, (3) Department of Biochemistry, Kochi Women's University, 5-15 Eikokuji-cho, kochi, kochi city, 780-8515, Japan

Objective: To test the effectiveness of stair-use banners in encouraging the use of stairs instead of escalators in Japan. Methods: In study 1, the use of the escalator and adjacent stairs was monitored in a department store in Kochi City from 11:00 to 13:00, 3 days a week, from November through January. In study 2, the use of the escalator and adjacent stair was monitored in a commuter train station in Himeji City in downtown Hyogo from 7:30 to 9:30, consecutive days, excluding weekends, from July through September. Participants were coded for gender and age. In both studies, a 2-week baseline period was followed by a 4-week intervention using motivating messages on the stair-use banners. Follow-up data were also collected for 1 and 2 week after the removal of the banners 2 and 3 weeks later. Results: In study 1, a total of 9,834 escalator/stair-choice observations were made. The percentage of people who used the stairs increased significantly from 46.0% to 51.1% during the 3-4 week intervention (p<0.001). When the banners were removed, the percentage remained higher than the baseline. In study 2, a total of 43,241 escalator/stair-choice observations were made. The percentage of people who used the stairs increased significantly from 3.58% to 5.80% during the 3-4 week intervention (p<0.001). Conclusion: This intervention method is effective in encouraging physical activity among the general public. As one method with wide applications for encouraging exercise action for the general public, it was concluded that this intervention method was successful.

Learning Objectives:

• Daily physical activity is promoted by a simple prompt.
• It has been proven that appropriate exercise lowers the risk of life style-related disease.
• A site visual prompt a method in our ordinary life for encouraging physical activity for the general public, attributed to decrease annual medical costs.

Keywords: Physical Activity, Exercise

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation