Increasing Stair Use
Authors: Ross Andersen
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1999)

Letters6 April 1999Increasing Stair UseRoss Andersen, PhD, Shawn Franckowiak, BS, and Susan Bartlett, PhDRoss Andersen, PhDJohns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Baltimore, MD 21224 (Andersen)Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Baltimore, MD 21224 (Franckowiak)Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Baltimore, MD 21224 (Bartlett)Search for more papers by this author, Shawn Franckowiak, BSJohns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Baltimore, MD 21224 (Andersen)Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Baltimore, MD 21224 (Franckowiak)Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Baltimore, MD 21224 (Bartlett)Search for more papers by this author, and Susan Bartlett, PhDJohns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Baltimore, MD 21224 (Andersen)Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Baltimore, MD 21224 (Franckowiak)Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Baltimore, MD 21224 (Bartlett)Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-130-7-199904060-00015 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail IN RESPONSE:We thank Drs. Reisman and Gross for their interest in our recent investigation. They raise the interesting point that we still do not know the minimal exercise threshold from which health benefits are derived. However, Boreham and colleagues (1) recently reported that sedentary college students could significantly improve physical fitness and serum lipid profiles by accumulating short bouts of stair-climbing throughout the day.The results of our study do suggest that when prompted with simple messages, people can be prompted to adopt healthier behaviors. Although clearly not optimal, getting people to increase physical activity even a little bit ...References1. Boreham CA, Nevill AM, Wallace WF, Brennan H. Effects of a stairclimbing programme on physical fitness and blood lipids in young females. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1998;30:S297. CrossrefGoogle Scholar2. Fletcher GF, Balady G, Blair SN, Blumenthal J, Caspersen CJ, Chaitman B, et al . Statement on exercise: benefits and recommendations for physical activity programs for all Americans. A statement for health professionals by the Committee on Exercise and Cardiac Rehabilitation of the Council on Clinical Cardiology, American Heart Association. Circulation. 1996;94:857-62. MedlineGoogle Scholar3. Dunn AL, Andersen RE, Jakicic JM. Lifestyle physical activity interventions: history, short- and long-term effects, and recommendations. Am J Prev Med. 1998;15:398-412. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Baltimore, MD 21224 (Andersen)Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Baltimore, MD 21224 (Franckowiak)Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Baltimore, MD 21224 (Bartlett) PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsSee AlsoCan Inexpensive Signs Encourage the Use of Stairs? Results from a Community Intervention Ross E. Andersen , Shawn C. Franckowiak , Julia Snyder , Susan J. Bartlett , and Kevin R. Fontaine Features and Outcomes of Classic Heat Stroke I. Maurice Ndukwu , Jane E. Dematte , and Karen O'Mara Metrics Cited byAssociations between building design, point-of-decision stair prompts, and stair use in urban worksites 6 April 1999Volume 130, Issue 7Page: 617KeywordsBehaviorExerciseHeartLipid profilesPhysical fitness ePublished: 15 August 2000 Issue Published: 6 April 1999 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 1999 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...