How just 20 seconds of exercise could save your life
Sounds doable.
Next time you’re debating whether to take the lift, remember this – climbing the stairs could save your life, according to scientists.
New research suggests regularly taking the stairs is linked to a 24% reduced risk of dying prematurely from any cause and a 39% lower likelihood of dying from a heart attack, heart failure or a stroke.
The scientists said the findings indicate that even short bursts of activity such as stair climbing could cut the risk of premature death.
Dr Sophie Paddock, of the University of East Anglia and Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital Foundation Trust, in Norwich, said: ‘If you have the choice of taking the stairs or the lift, go for the stairs as it will help your heart.
‘Even brief bursts of physical activity have beneficial health impacts, and short bouts of stair climbing should be an achievable target to integrate into daily routines.’
Physical inactivity is associated with one in six deaths in the UK, according a report compiled by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities.
Evidence suggests regular exercise can reduce the risk of early death and heart disease. The NHS recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise every week.
For the study, the team looked at data from nine studies involving more than 480,000 people, aged between 35 and 84 years.
Healthy individuals as well as patients with heart disease were included in the analysis, of whom 53% were women.
In addition to reducing the risk of premature death, stair climbing was also found to be associated with a lower risk of heart disease.
Dr Paddock said: ‘Based on these results, we would encourage people to incorporate stair climbing into their day-to-day lives.
‘Our study suggested that the more stairs climbed, the greater the benefits – but this needs to be confirmed.
‘So, whether at work, home or elsewhere, take the stairs.’
The results were presented at the European Society of Cardiology’s Preventive Cardiology conference in Athens, Greece.