Fitbit Should track descending stairs not just climbing. (Down Stairs Walking)

Several studies have proven that descending stairs burns more calories than light walking.  In fact it is closer to moderate walking (about 4mph) or 4.9METs burning 5.2 kcal·min−1 or .05kcal per step and that is assuming only a 15cm (or ~6inch) step.

 

This is as noted here: https://journals.lww.com/acsm-msse/pages/articleviewer.aspx?year=2002&issue=04000&article=00021&type...

 

There are many other studies proving this and several other trackers on the market track both climbing and descending stairs.  Down stairs walking is also known to improve balance more than upstairs walking.

 

Another good medical study.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28291022

 

5 Comments
Rich_Laue
Community Legend

Descending stairs would then decrease the up floor count. 

Fitbit has never added calories based on stairs climbed. With the new Dr travelers Fitbit uses the heart rate to determine calories. Therefore even if stairs are not recorded, if your HR increases so does the calories. 

The only thing Fitbit uses stairs count for is to display on the dashboard. 

cdpage
Base Runner

It's a interesting idea, but i would assume in most case, the count up will be roughly equal to the down for most people. 

SunsetRunner
Not applicable

@cdpageMy last tracker actually told me that it noticed I would go down more than I would go up and recommend I try to take the stairs more when going up.

 

I tend to go down more because it can sometimes be quicker than waiting for the elevator or I am only going down a floor or two (I work on the top floor).  When I go up it is usually in a hurry and the elevator is usually faster to go up and there are too many floors.

 

It is also better on your knees and being lower METs easier in general while still providing benefit. 

 

@Rich_LaueMost other trackers count them separately so you have a number of floors climbed and a number of floors descended.  In a graph it is often showing two bars, one going up from the middle the other going down.  As for Fitbit not taking into account the increased effort in stairs might help explain why recently a university study (Stanford, https://www.med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2017/05/fitness-trackers-accurately-measure-heart-rate-bu... ) tested Fitbits and other trackers and shower Fitbit was horribly inaccurate for calories, though fairly accurate for steps and heart rate. 

 

I did find it odd the Stanford study tested the Microsoft band which had been discontinued for years and the Basis Peak which had been recalled and the company has been closed but not Garmin. Maybe they were devices people on the team already owned. 

 

More details about the study can be found here: https://newatlas.com/fitness-tracker-data-accuracy-study-stanford/49699/  Fitbit was those accurate for calories but that doesn't mean it was close to accurate. 

Status changed to: Reviewed By Moderator
AlexandraFitbit
Premium User
Moderator Alum
Moderator Alum

Hi @SunsetRunner and users ! 

 

That’s an interesting idea and could be useful, thanks for sharing this suggestion. 

Status changed to: Not currently planned
LanuzaFitbit
Premium User
Fitbit Moderator
Fitbit Moderator

Hi everyone, thanks for sharing this suggestion. We're always striving to enhance Fitbit products and services, and we appreciate all of the input we receive from our customers. We do not currently have plans to release this feature. You can learn more about how Fitbit decides what suggestions get released in our FAQs. For now, we will leave this suggestion open for votes (and closed to comments) so that we can continue to track community demand over time. Thanks for taking the time to share your feedback with us and we will let you know if anything changes.

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