Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Doctors say climbing stairs can lengthen life expectancy

SINGAPORE: Stair climbing can be a great form of exercise for those looking to lose weight.

But doctors at Tan Tock Seng Hospital have found out it has another benefit. They say climbing two flights of stairs can lengthen life expectancy by 5.5 seconds.

Doctors also estimate that one can lose 2.7 kilogrammes a year by just running two flights of stairs daily.

Stair-climbing burns up to 1,000 calories every hour, or five times more energy compared to strolling, two times compared to swimming, and 1.8 times more than jogging.

This vertical exercise can also strengthen physique, improve the heart and lung functions as well as enhance blood circulation.

It helps develop stronger leg muscles, which also reduces the chance of osteoporosis.

"You get a better fitness all over because you train your whole body and not just your legs, because you have to use the handrail. And that helps in all the ways of life," said Thomas Dold, champion of Vertical Marathon.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1020049/1/.html

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