Climbing stairs for a few minutes can improve heart health, new study finds
| Jan 23, 2019, 12:11 IST
Researchers from McMaster University in the US conducted the study. The team's goal for the study was to investigate whether vigorous bouts of stairclimbing performed as a single session would help improve cardiorespiratory fitness - an essential health marker in determining your risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
The participants in the study were sedentary young adults. Three times a day they had to climb a three-flight stairwell. They had a recovery time of one to fours in between. The group had to continue to perform this routine for six weeks. Their results were compared to a group that did not exercise.
Researchers found their fitness levels and heart health had improved drastically. "The findings make it even easier for people to incorporate ‘exercise snacks’ into their day. Those who work in office towers or live in apartment buildings can vigorously climb a few flights of stairs in the morning, at lunch, and in the evening and know they are getting an effective workout," study author Martin Gibala told a news portal.
Researchers say almost anyone at any age can start doing this to improve their fitness. One of the benefits of incorporating this is that you can do it anywhere on your time.
The participants in the study were sedentary young adults. Three times a day they had to climb a three-flight stairwell. They had a recovery time of one to fours in between. The group had to continue to perform this routine for six weeks. Their results were compared to a group that did not exercise.
Researchers found their fitness levels and heart health had improved drastically. "The findings make it even easier for people to incorporate ‘exercise snacks’ into their day. Those who work in office towers or live in apartment buildings can vigorously climb a few flights of stairs in the morning, at lunch, and in the evening and know they are getting an effective workout," study author Martin Gibala told a news portal.
Researchers say almost anyone at any age can start doing this to improve their fitness. One of the benefits of incorporating this is that you can do it anywhere on your time.