Title: Study Shows Climbing Stairs Regularly Can Reduce the Risk of Heart Disease
By Marc Lallanilla
Published Sep. 29, 2023, 5:55 p.m. ET
Tulane University researchers have discovered that climbing stairs regularly can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease by up to 20%. In fact, their study suggests that climbing just 50 steps a day can have a profound impact on cardiovascular health, potentially outweighing the benefits of walking thousands of steps.
The researchers analyzed data from over 458,000 adults in the UK Biobank repository to determine the impact of stair climbing on heart disease. Factors such as family history, risk factors, lifestyle habits, and frequency of stair climbing were taken into account. The participants were followed up for an average of 12.5 years.
The findings, published in the journal Atherosclerosis, revealed that individuals who climbed at least 50 steps daily, equivalent to about five flights of stairs, had a nearly 20% lower risk of heart disease. Dr. Lu Qi, a co-author of the study and professor at Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, emphasized the time efficiency and potential advantages of stair climbing as a primary preventive measure for cardiovascular diseases.
Aside from its cardiorespiratory benefits, stair climbing offers distinct advantages over other forms of exercise, such as walking thousands of steps. Dr. Nicolas Berger from the UK’s Teesside University highlighted that stair climbing engages multiple muscle groups, improves balance and motor skills, and strengthens muscles throughout the body, including the glutes, quads, hamstrings, calves, and core. This form of exercise also significantly activates the cardiovascular system, leading to increased heart rate and oxygen uptake.
Moreover, climbing stairs is a low-cost, easily accessible option for individuals in most cities. The authors of the study encourage people to consider incorporating stair climbing into their daily routine to reduce the risk of heart disease.
In conclusion, the study from Tulane University emphasizes the potential benefits of stair climbing as a preventive measure against heart disease. Climbing just 50 steps a day can have a substantial impact on cardiovascular health, surpassing the benefits of walking thousands of steps. Therefore, individuals are encouraged to utilize stair climbing as a convenient and effective way to improve their overall well-being and reduce the risk of heart disease.