Medical researchers have found that climbing at least 50 stairs daily can reduce the risk of heart disease, including coronary artery disease and stroke, by 20%. The co-author of the study, Lou Chi, a professor at the Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, stated in a press release: "Short bouts of stair climbing are an effective time-efficient way to improve cardiorespiratory fitness." Chi added: "These findings highlight the potential benefits of stair climbing as a primary preventive measure for cardiovascular diseases."
To test the benefits of stair climbing, Chi and colleagues analyzed data from the UK Biobank, a massive repository of health and lifestyle information collected from more than 458,000 adults. The study, published in the journal Atherosclerosis, found that those who regularly climb 50 stairs daily had nearly a 20% lower risk of heart disease.
Because stairs can easily be found in most cities, researchers noted that climbing them could be a low-cost and accessible way to reduce the risk of heart disease. Dr. Nicholas Berger from Teesside University in the UK told The Independent that climbing stairs "requires more muscle use along with some balance and overall motor skills." Berger noted that even a short stair workout strengthens muscles such as the glutes, quadriceps, hamstrings, as well as the heart muscles.
