Q - I have heard that running stairs gives a great aerobic workout. How should I go about training to run stairs? - C. M., Auburn, NY

A. - Before you begin running stairs, ask yourself why you are running them. Is stair running part of an event you want to compete in? Are you running stairs to have variety in your workout? The reason I am asking is that there a lot of other cardiovascular exercises you can do that pose less threat to joints and muscles.

Running stairs used to be very popular with athletes, trainers and coaches; however, as research indicated the risk of injury to be quite high with running stairs, alternative exercises usually are recommended. Going up the stairs is not where the problem usually occurs. It is the coming back down that can cause injury. Even walking down stairs, your knees must absorb about three times your body weight on each step. If you add running to this you increase the impact by 7 to 12 times depending on your body weight, stair height and speed you are traveling.

My advice is to work out on stair climbers or elliptical machines. These machines will give you a great workout without the impact of stair running. If you do decide to run stairs for exercise, run up, but walk down.

Source: fitlinxx.com