Experts recommend walking 10,000 steps a day, a practice that can provide several benefits for physical and mental health, especially heart health. However, many may find this somewhat difficult, given the daily work requirements.
However, some researchers believe that there is another method of exercise that may be more effective when it comes to enhancing heart health, according to what was reported in the Daily Mail newspaper .
The newspaper highlighted a study indicating that climbing five flights of stairs daily (each flight equivalent to 10 steps) may reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes. This simple and accessible exercise provides significant health benefits.
The benefits seemed greater for people who did ten or more rounds, according to the results of a decade-long study in which 400,000 Britons participated.
Climbing stairs
Climbing stairs provides a short period of high-intensity exercise, in the same way as jumping or aerobics. Other examples of such activities include running, swimming, and fast cycling.
A study by Tulane University analyzed the health of 458,860 individuals in the UK over an average of 12.5 years. Participants were surveyed about their stair climbing habits at the start and again after five years.The findings of this study provide valuable insights into the effects of stair climbing on overall health and well-being. Discover how incorporating stair climbing can positively impact your health and well-being in this enlightening report.
During the study, a total of 39,043 individuals experienced the development of atherosclerosis—a condition characterized by the narrowing of arteries, impeding blood flow. Learn more about atherosclerosis, its causes, and treatments.
The results, published in the journal Atherosclerosis, showed that participants who climbed five flights of stairs daily were 3% less likely to develop atherosclerosis, compared to those who did not climb stairs. Volunteers who climbed at least six sets a day were 16% less at risk.
The study found that regularly climbing more than five flights of stairs (approximately 50 steps) is linked to a decreased risk of developing a disease that can increase the chances of heart attacks and strokes. Incorporating stair climbing into your daily routine may have significant health benefits and contribute to overall well-being.
Climbing stairs not only improves heart health but also burns twice as many calories as walking, strengthening the lungs and muscles.
According to Dr. Lu Qi, a study author, short bursts of high-intensity stair climbing can be a time-effective method to enhance cardiorespiratory fitness. This is particularly beneficial for individuals who struggle to meet the current physical activity recommendations. The findings emphasize the potential advantages of stair climbing in preventing atherosclerosis, a condition causing the hardening of arteries. Incorporating stair climbing into your routine can improve your overall cardiovascular health and well-being.
Conclusion
Although the study was observational, it is important to note that climbing stairs alone may not directly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in participants. However, the findings contribute to a substantial body of evidence indicating that even basic exercise can have a positive impact on overall health. Incorporating simple exercises like climbing stairs into a daily routine can potentially improve cardiovascular health and well-being.
