Formation of Implementation Intentions Promotes Stair Use

Individuals in the intervention condition were more likely to take the stairs immediately after forming an implementation intention than those in the control condition.

Abstract

The effectiveness of implementation intentions in stimulating stair use in a sample of 143 academic hospital employees is evaluated. In 2005, participants underwent anthropometric measurements in an examination room in the basement of the hospital, and completed a questionnaire, which included items regarding gender, attitude toward stair use as a means to watch one's weight, intention to be more physically active at work, and past behavior regarding stair use. Data analysis showed a loss to follow-up of 39%, resulting from the proportion of participants remaining on the same floor. Individuals in the intervention condition were more likely to take the stairs immediately after forming an implementation intention than those in the control condition. The studies can also examine their use via a more automated self-regulatory mechanism such as e-mail, rather than in-person instruction.