While researchers here focus specifically on stair climbing as a form of physical activity to compare against risk of mortality in later life, there are any number of other studies that focus on activity more generally, or on other forms of moderate to vigorous exercise. The consensus across epidemiological studies is that physical activity correlates with reduced mortality. Animal studies have been used to demonstrate that the exercise in fact causes that reduced mortality, and it is reasonable to consider that the same is true in humans.
Cardiovascular disease is largely preventable through actions like exercise. However, more than one in four adults worldwide do not meet recommended levels of physical activity. Stair climbing is a practical and easily accessible form of physical activity which is often overlooked. This study investigated whether climbing stairs, as a form of physical activity, could play a role in reducing the risks of cardiovascular disease and premature death.
The authors collected the best available evidence on the topic and conducted a meta-analysis. Studies were included regardless of the number of flights of stairs and the speed of climbing. There were nine studies with 480,479 participants in the final analysis. The study population included both healthy participants and those with a previous history of heart attack or peripheral arterial disease. Ages ranged from 35 to 84 years old and 53% of participants were women.
Compared with not climbing stairs, stair climbing was associated with a 24% reduced risk of dying from any cause and a 39% lower likelihood of dying from cardiovascular disease. Stair climbing was also linked with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease including heart attack, heart failure, and stroke.
Link: https://www.eurekale...eleases/1042193
View the full article at FightAging
