Bop-Bop-Bop

to the Top (Floor) – a Stair Climbing

Initiative at USC
• Target Population: University of South Carolina undergraduate students (n=100 – 150)
• Setting of your intervention: University of South Carolina classroom buildings
• Physical activity outcome: Increase in number of students taking the stairs between classes
• Measurement (how and when): Gather observational data on number of students using the
elevator of target buildings during the week before, the day of, and a month after hanging flyers
• Theory: Theory of Planned Behavior
• Physical Activity Intervention Description: Educational flyers will be posted on elevator doors of
busy campus classroom buildings (e.g. Humanities Classroom Building). While waiting in line for
the elevator, students will read the flyers that encourage them to use the stairs instead. The flyer
will explain that small changes can lead to big health improvements (behavioral beliefs) and
explain that stairs are an easy and accessible way to start making small changes (perceived
behavioral control)
• Statement of Significance: Especially for individuals who do not get a lot of exercise, any increase
in physical activity can have significant health improvements. Students can make small choices,
such as taking the stairs over the elevator, and can begin to make a difference in their health. This
intervention requires no special equipment yet can make huge differences in terms of student
physical activity levels and self-efficacy. Students on campus at USC already have an environment
conducive to physical activity, they may just not know the health benefits available to them.