Showing papers on "Stair climbing published in 1980"

A Study of Lower-Limb Mechanics During Stair-Climbing

Abstract: The motions, forces, and moments at the major joints of the lower limbs of ten men ascending and descending stairs were analyzed using an optoelectronic system, a force-plate, and electromyography. The mean values for the maximum sagittalplane motions of the hip, knee, and ankle were 42, 88, and 27 degrees, respectively. The mean maximum net flexion-extension moments were: at the hip, 123.9 newton-meters going up and 112.5 newton-meters going down stairs; at the knee, 57.1 newton-meters going up and 146.6 newton-meters going down stairs; and at the ankle, 137.2 newton-meters going up and 107.5 newton-meters going down stairs. When going up and down stairs large moments are present about weight-bearing joints, but descending movements produce the largest moments. The magnitudes of these moments are considerably higher than those produced during level walking.

Exercise testing before and after hip arthroplasty

Abstract: In 30 elderly women awaiting hip arthroplasty on account of unilateral osteoarthritis of the hip, walking speed and oxygen consumption were measured during a 12-minute test and the power output was calculated from the stair climbing rate. The results were compared with those for a group of 30 normal women of similar age. An age-related decline in maximal walking speed was observed in both groups. After arthroplasty there was a significant increase in maximal walking speed, particularly among the more disabled patients, with the major gain occurring by three months and a further slight increase by six months. Oxygen consumption returned towards normal values, and both stride length and cadence increased by a comparable degree. Mean power output during stair climbing doubled, and both before and after arthroplasty bore a linear relationship to the maximal walking speed.

Stair climbing and ability to work for paraplegics with complete lesions--a sixteen-year follow-up

Abstract: A 16-year follow-up study of 69 paraplegics with complete lesions from T1-L3 is presented. The intention was to reveal to what extent crutch walking proficiency was retained years after discharge and what benefits were derived by adept crutch walkers compared to wheelchair-bound patients. At follow-up 69 per cent claimed to use their applicances regularly. Fifty-nine per cent of those still alive were still working for a living. There was a statistical significance between intelligence and ability to work and ability to climb 20 standard stairs and to work. The authors mention several advantages which the well-trained crutch walker is endowed with compared to the wheelchair bound patient who has not been given adequate opportunity to attain optimal crutch ambulation proficiency.

The effect of external loading upon power output in stair climbing

Abstract: Previous studies have examined man's ability to produce external power output during maximal repetitive work cycles of short duration. It appears, however, that there were methodological limitations which would inherently mask man's true capacities. Consequently, we examined the effect of variable external loads upon external power output as measured by running upstairs. Fourteen male subjects (16–31 years of age) who regularly participated in competitive sports performed maximal stair step tests under five experimental loading conditions (no external load, 10.1, 19.2, 24.2, and 29.2kg). Significant increases (P<0.05) in external power output were found. External power output increased from a mean of 15.9 W·kg−1±1.0 (unloaded condition) to 18.5 W·kg−1±1.5 (external load of 29.2 kg). This is the first modern investigation demonstrating that external loads effect external power output as measured by this technique.