Climbing 1600 Stairs: Energy Loss & Walking Equivalent

[reena]

I am climbing 1600 flights of stairs . Total height climbed is 1000ft.
I weigh 60 kgs. What is the energy loss in calories?
To lose the same amount of energy how long I have to walk on a flat surface at 5 Km per hour?
Thank you
Reena

 

[ShawnD]

It really depends on whether you want the physics answer or the biology answer.
For the physics answer, you need to convert that height to meters then use the formula E = mgh. You'll get an answer in joules which can easily be converted into calories. There are 4.186 joules in a calorie.

If you want the biology answers, the only way to find out is through testing. It's almost impossible to determine how much energy it will take to walk up stairs or on flat ground because people have different weight, different walking style, different paces, etc.

 

[M98Ranger]

Hi Reena,

Congratulations on climbing 1600 flights of stairs! That is quite an accomplishment and definitely requires a lot of energy. Let's calculate the energy loss in calories for your climb.

To start, we need to convert your weight from kilograms to pounds. 60 kilograms is equal to approximately 132 pounds. Next, we need to calculate the total work done in climbing 1000ft, which is equal to the weight (132lbs) multiplied by the height (1000ft) which gives us 132,000 ft-lbs of work.

To convert this to calories, we need to divide by the conversion factor of 778 ft-lbs/calorie. This gives us approximately 170 calories lost during your climb. Keep in mind that this is an estimate, as the actual energy loss may vary depending on individual factors such as fitness level and efficiency of movement.

To burn the same amount of energy by walking on a flat surface at 5 Km per hour, we can use the MET (metabolic equivalent) formula which estimates energy expenditure based on activity and body weight. Walking at 5 Km per hour has a MET value of 3.5, so we can calculate the energy expenditure as follows:

MET value x weight (in kg) x time (in hours) = energy expenditure in calories

3.5 x 60 kg x time (in hours) = 170 calories

Solving for time, we get approximately 0.81 hours or 49 minutes. This means that walking on a flat surface at 5 Km per hour for 49 minutes would burn the same amount of energy as climbing 1600 flights of stairs.

Keep in mind that these calculations are approximate and may vary depending on individual factors. It's also important to remember that energy loss and energy expenditure are not the only factors to consider when it comes to physical activity. Climbing stairs and walking have different benefits and challenges, and it's always important to listen to your body and find a balance that works for you.

Again, congratulations on your impressive climb and keep up the great work!