Effect of Stair-climbing as an Exercise Snack on Vascular and Endothelial Function: A Narrative Review

This narrative review examines the effects of stair-climbing exercise snacks on vascular and endothelial function. The review included studies that investigated the impact of stair-climbing on humans, measuring outcomes such as FMD, blood flow, shear rate and stress, blood pressure, or PWV. Six studies met the inclusion criteria. The review found that stair climbing can improve blood flow, shear rate, and blood pressure. Some studies showed that stair climbing could prevent the reduction of endothelial function associated with prolonged sitting. However, some studies showed no significant change in FMD. The studies included diverse populations, such as healthy adults, individuals with CAD, and sedentary workers, using varied protocols. The results suggest that stair climbing can be an effective exercise snack to improve cardiovascular health, but more research is needed to draw definitive conclusions about its impact on endothelial function and blood pressure in certain populations. The feasibility and acceptability of this exercise make it a promising strategy.

کلیدواژه ها:

Vascular function ، Endothelial Function ، Snack exercise ، Stair climbing ، sedentary behavior