Abstract
BackgroundIn Ecological models, physical environments can be important determinants of transport-related walking. With repeated exposure to the same environment, learning of a linkage between the cues in the environment and walking should occur. Subsequent encounters with the cues can prompt the behaviour relatively automatically. No studies have experimentally tested the potential learning of this linkage between cues and behaviour. Choices between stairs and escalators in public access settings were employed to test this premise for transport-related walking.MethodsThree studies investigated the effects of visual cues on stair/escalator choices (combined n = 115,062). In quasi-experimental, interrupted time-series designs, observers audited choices in public access settings. Design alone phases with art or coloured backgrounds were compared with design plus message phases in which verbal health promotion messages were superimposed on the visual cues. Analyses used bootstrapped logistic regression.ResultsIn initial studies, the design alone phases had no effect whereas subsequent design plus message phases reduced escalator choice. In two further studies, a 5–6 week design plus message phase that reduced escalator choice preceded a design alone phase. The visual background behind the successful health promotion message was reintroduced four weeks after the intervention was removed. The visual cue of design alone reduced escalator choice after it had been paired with the verbal health promotion message. There were no differences between art and coloured backgrounds.ConclusionThese studies demonstrate for the first time a learnt linkage between transport-related walking and environmental cues. Discussion focuses on the mechanisms that may underlie this learning and cues in the environment that are relevant to transport-related walking.
Highlights
Unhealthy lifestyles increase the population burden of disease [1]
The visual cue of design alone reduced escalator choice after it had been paired with the verbal health promotion message
This study revealed that a design alone phase can disrupt habitual escalator choice after it has been paired with a health promotion message
Summary
Unhealthy lifestyles increase the population burden of disease [1]. Smoking, diet, lack of exercise and alcohol consumption all contribute to ill-health. Repetition of the behaviour produces cumulative effects on health. In common parlance, these unhealthy behavioural choices are often described as bad habits to denote the fact that they appear as a regular occurrence within an individual’s life. This paper experimentally tests the effects of pairing contextual cues with a successful health behaviour to disrupt a less healthy habitual choice, namely choosing the escalator instead of the stairs. With repeated exposure to the same environment, learning of a linkage between the cues in the environment and walking should occur. No studies have experimentally tested the potential learning of this linkage between cues and behaviour. Choices between stairs and escalators in public access settings were employed to test this premise for transport-related walking
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
