You’ve heard it a million times, if you want to get some physical activity in your day, take the stairs instead of the elevator. Most of us still refuse. It might be out of laziness, but it could be the idea that in this rush rush world of ours, we think it is faster. Well, a study done by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) proves this wrong.
It actually takes approximately twice as much time to take the elevator when ascending and descending one floor. To test this, researchers at the University of South Carolina recorded the time required to ascend and descend one floor by taking the stairs and elevator over several days. A small group of participants were instructed to alternate between elevator and stair use and to take the stairs as a self-selected normal pace during the course of their daily routine.
The time required to take the elevator was significantly greater than the time required to use the stairs going both up and down one floor. The excess time for the elevator was attributed to the wait, not the travel time, since the elevator ride was measured at approximately 10 seconds.
If climbing the stairs saves you time and can add some physical activity in your day then it’s a win win situation. It may even help with sick leave in a corporate setting. The bottom line is the stairs win, so start climbing!
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In the building at my client site, it is definitely easier to take the stairs. The elevator just takes too long. However, there's one landing on the second floor that is not safe, as the door opens right at the top step - potentially dangerous both ways.
All the same, stairs are good cardio exercise. :)
I'm also claustrophobic and hate elevators. My way of dealing with them is to make a game of it, although some people find no humor in my asking, "Who called this meeting, anyway?" Or, when I start calling off floors, like in the old department stores.
I like stairs. Just not more than 4-5 flights. My vertigo gets the best of me on the down side (far-sightedness is no help).
August 13, 2008 - 4:23pmThis Comment
At my last job, we had both an elevator and stairs and a woman who had a fear of enclosed spaces -- especially elevators. She beat us up the stairs each time. It's hard to believe that people would choose the elevator over walking or flight or two but that elevator always seemed full.
She was in great shape by the way. It's funny how what's perceived as a flaw -- say claustrophobia -- worked to her advantage in many ways. And now she has further proof. Thanks for the motivation. Are you a stairs or elevator person?
August 13, 2008 - 11:04amThis Comment