A 2020 study has revealed the answer to the question ‘at what age do stairs become difficult?’ and the answer might surprise you.
Health and fitness chain, Total Fitness, commissioned a recent study to look at the link between physical exercise and quality of life in 1000 adults.
So, at what age do stairs become difficult?
They discovered that, rather surprisingly, turning 60 is the age when stairs become difficult. A just sixty years of age, a large proportion of the UK population starts to find things like walking and using the stairs that little bit harder to manage. So, if you’re in your sixties or seventies, and are struggling with your mobility and have pain in moving, you’re not alone.
The study also found that regular exercise plays a big role in preventing mobility problems and helping you to stay independent for longer.
- 1 in 4 participants in the study who did little to no exercise each day found they started to experience difficulty with everyday activities around the age of 60
- 28% of over 65s who do little to no exercise found things like walking and climbing up and down the stairs a challenge.
This is compared to:
- 14% of those over 65s who carry out moderate exercise found things like walking and climbing up and down the stairs a challenge
- And just 7% of over 65s who exercise more than three times a week each day found things like walking and climbing up and down the stairs a challenge
Why do I struggle to climb up stairs?
As the study shows, if you have no other illness or any physical condition that affects your mobility, you might be struggling with the stairs due to an absence of exercise. 1 in 5 retirees believes regular exercise plays an essential role in keeping them mobile and living independently.
And the benefits of exercise for older adults don’t end there. The study also found that around 16% of retirees who have stayed active, complained of less joint pain, were more supple, and had greater flexibility than around 24% of younger adults aged 35-44 who rarely exercised.
Many older adults found their motivation to stay active in their family. One in five retirees prioritises exercise so they can keep up with their grandchildren, and join them in activities like dancing, playing sports, and going for walks.
And keeping fit and active doesn’t have to mean joining a gym and hitting the treadmill. Many older adults choose to swim, walk the dog, cycle, do yoga and pilates, or take dance classes. These activities are considered ‘low-impact’ and place less stress on joints whilst still getting your heart rate up and improving your range of movement.
If you’re approaching 60 and are feeling the strain when it comes to the stairs, speak to us about installing a new or reconditioned stairlift. Straight and curved stairlifts can be a great solution to take the worry out of using the stairs. And you can start to focus on improving your fitness and get moving more. Call our team of stairlift experts for impartial advice on buying or renting a stairlift at 0800 644 7766 today.
Neil is the founder of Halton Stairlifts. He has years of experience installing stairlifts across the UK. With an eagerness to help those with mobility issues get up the stairs, Neil understands how important it is for a seamless and straightforward approach to installing stairlifts to help those in need quickly.