Showing papers on "Stair climbing published in 1991"

Recovery time of independent function post-stroke.

Abstract: Stroke patients undergoing physical rehabilitation were monitored daily to determine the length of time needed to recover independent function Of the 93 patients admitted, there were 45 who could not attain the sitting position independently, 75 who could not walk independently and 75 who could not negotiate the stairs independently By discharge, 25 of 45 patients (556%) were able to attain sitting from supine independently, 35 of 75 patients (467%) achieved the ability to walk independently but only 25 of 75 patients (333%) learned to negotiate stairs independently The time from admission to achievement of independent function and the time from onset of stroke to achievement of independent function was modeled in relation to explanatory variables: age, sex, side of lesion, comorbidity, the presence of depression and the extent of impairment in perception, cognition, auditory comprehension and verbal expression Four variables were found to influence recovery time: age influenced the rate of recovery of walking and stair climbing; perceptual impairment influenced the rate of achieving independent sitting and stair climbing; and depression and comprehension influenced walking

Exercise apparatus for simulating stair climbing

Abstract: A step type exercise apparatus is disclosed in which two pedal members are connected for reciprocating movement by a chain which, in turn, operates through a transmission providing a resistive force to the pedals. The resistive force is supplied by an alternator which is controlled by a computer. Means are provided to lubricate the chain thereby prolonging the life of the chain.

Stair climbing exercise machine

Abstract: A stair climbing exercise machine comprises an upright frame and a pair of reciprocating left and right pedals pivotally mounted on the frame for independent movement between raised and lowered positions. A hydraulic control system is connected to the pedals to provide resistance to downward movement and to return each lowered pedal to a raised position independent of operation of the other pedal. In a preferred embodiment, a TV screen is mounted on the frame and is controlled by a computer to display certain information during an exercise routine, which may be overlaid on a TV program. The computer may also control the duration and difficulty of each exercise routine.

Stair-climbing and upper body exercise apparatus

Abstract: An apparatus for simultaneous upper body exercise and lower body exercise is provided. The lower body exercise is of a stairclimbing simulation type. Movement of the upper body exercise handles and lower body exercise pedals are independent from one another. Resistance to motion of the handles and pedals is provided and controlled so as to produce substantially isokinetic exercise. Step-down gears are provided so that a similar amount of upper body effort and lower body effort is perceived by the exerciser.

Exercise machine for simulating stair climbing

Abstract: The present invention is an improved exercise machine for simulating stair climbing, particularly adapted for in-home use. The device includes a generally upright frame with a base. Right and left foot pedals are pivotally mounted to the base on either side of the upstanding portion of the frame and a handlebar is provided adjacent the upper end of the frame. The foot pedals are linked to a mechanical resistance element, namely a flywheel. The linkage includes a strap connecting each pedal to a single drive shaft, in turn connected by a belt transmission to the flywheel. A resistance adjustment feature is included in the invention.

Simulated stair climbing exercise apparatus having variable sensory feedback

Abstract: A simulated stair climbing exercise apparatus having variable sensory feedback is provided. Sensory feedback, in the form of a lifting force acting on a lifting foot of the operator, varies with the operator's location in the stepping stroke. Maximum sensory feedback is provided at a lower portion of the stroke, minimum sensory feedback is provided at an upper portion of the stroke and maximum feedback at the lower portions. Sensory feedback is effected by means of direct interconnection of left and right foot mechanisms in combination with a spring. Direct interconnection is achieved by a cable routed around a series of pulleys such that a downward force on one foot mechanism results in an equal and opposite lifting force on the other foot mechanism. One of the pulleys is a floating pulley that is free to move and its positioned based upon the operating position of the stepping stroke. The spring is connected to the floating pulley such at 1) the direct interconnection cable controls the lifting force in the lower portion of the stroke, 2) the spring controls the lifting force at the upper portion of the stroke, and 3) a combination of the cable and spring control lifting force in the mid range.

Biomechanics of stair walking and jumping.

Abstract: Physical activities such as stair walking and jumping result in increased dynamic loading on the human musculoskeletal system. Use of light weight, externally attached accelerometers allows for in‐vivo monitoring of the shock waves invading the human musculoskeletal system during those activities. Shock waves were measured in four subjects performing stair walking up and down, jumping in place and jumping off a fixed elevation. The results obtained show that walking down a staircase induced shock waves with amplitude of 130% of that observed in walking up stairs and 250% of the shock waves experienced in level gait. The jumping test revealed levels of the shock waves nearly eight times higher than that in level walking. It was also shown that the shock waves invading the human musculoskeletal system may be generated not only by the heel strike, but also by the metatarsal strike. To moderate the risk of degenerative joint disorders four types of viscoelastic insoles were utilized to reduce the imp...

Stair climbing exercise apparatus utilizing drive belts

Abstract: A stair type exercise apparatus is disclosed in which two pedal members reciprocate. The pedal members can either be directly connected together by a cog drive belt which in turn operates through a transmission providing a resistive force to the pedals or the pedals can be individually connected to the transmission by a drive belt. The resistive force is supplied by an alternator which is controlled by a computer.

Water immersed stair climber

Abstract: Stair climbing exercising apparatus for use under water comprising a pair of laterally adjacent stepping levers pivotally mounted between the two ends of the levers, the exerciser stepping on one end, and water resistance imposing member mounted the levers. The amount of water resistance being imposed is adjustable. In another embodiment, a paddle wheel is employed with blades along the outer periphery being adjustable to vary the amount of water resistance.

Water immersed stair climber with air bladder

Abstract: Stair climbing exercising apparatus for use under water comprising a pair of laterally adjacent stepping levers pivotally mounted at one end, the excerciser stepping on the other end, and resistance to downward motion being imposed by the buoyancy of bladders attached to said stepping levers.

Variables affecting perceptual boundaries in bipedal stair climbing.

Abstract: The present study examined the effects of hip joint mobility and relative leg strength on perceived and attained action boundaries in bipedal stair climbing If action boundaries are directly perceived and action is intimately linked to perception, one should be able to quantify these boundaries (Warren, 1984) and identify what variables affect these perceived boundaries In the present experiment the perceived and attained absolute and relative (riser height divided by leg length) action boundaries were significantly affected by hip joint flexibility Relative leg strength also affected absolute and relative perceived action boundaries These results clearly show that factors in addition to body size and body proportions may affect the perception of affordances and their boundaries

Stair-climbing control of self-contained hexapod with semi-fixed gait

Abstract: A semi-fixed gait hexapod MELCRAB-2 was constructed as a self-contained walking robot to verify the usefulness of two strategies on actuator configuration design to solve the coupling problem in multi joint leg mechanism: 'gravitationally decoupled actuation' and 'motion decoupled actuation'. The paper provides the tactical algorithms to control it like the way to change the stride to adapt the various stairs. As MELCRAB-2 is a self-contained walking robot, these control schemes run on an on-board computer. >

Device for fitting tracked stair-climbing running assemblies to rigid luggage

Abstract: The invention relates to a device making it possible to provide rigid thermo-formed suitcases with slideways which can receive removable tracked running assemblies so that the luggage can run, without knocking on the edges of stairs of standard sizes. The device comprises a female part (1), the base of a suitcase or multi-purpose intermediate platform, in which four recesses (2) have been hollowed, acting a slideway, two on each side of the object. In each of them, through the use of a T-shaped component (3) is inserted a tracked running assembly comprising, in the chassis (4) the pulleys (5) guiding the tracked belt (6). The guide and safety bar (7) extended by a pull strap acts as a brake when it is returned to the horizontal by the spring (8), the component (9) coming to compress the tracked belt (6). The device according to the invention allows the use of luggage which is self-sufficing as regards removable tracked conveyance, the particular feature of which is to allow stairs to be negotiated by running on their edges.

Intersegmental coordination in stair climbing

Abstract: Stair climbing has become a popular form of training for athletes as well as non-athletes. Considering that there are a plethora of devices for stair climbing, how does a person decide which apparatus to use? Aside from issues of practicality, much of the decision could be based on the principles of specificity of training. That is, for maximum transfer of benefits from one activity to another, the activities should be compatible in the usage of energy systems, muscle groups, and patterns of coordination. As for the first two criteria of specificity, the choice is simple: Almost all stair climbing devices are beneficial to the aerobic energy system and the leg extensor muscles. However, for the criterion of coordination, the choice may be more difficult. First, the reasons for exercising on stairs are diverse: They can range from cross-training for the serious athlete who wishes to gain a competitive advantage to reconditioning for the injured or elderly person who wishes to safely negotiate the staircase at home. Second, little is known about the patterns of coordination that are employed in leg extensor activities. To date, only jumping (Bobbert & van Ingen Schenau, 1988; Hudson, 1986) and speed skating (Koning et al., 1991) have been analyzed in terms of intersegmental coordination. From the data depicted in these studies, it appears that the thigh and shank operate with predominant simultaneity in both these tasks. That is, the thigh and shank both begin and end their propulsive phases at approximately the same times. Presuming a volleyball player wanted to reinforce a simultaneous pattern of coordination, do either stair machines or staircases afford this opportunity? Presuming a person with a hip replacement wanted to rehabilitate with a stair machine, do certain stair machines compare more favorably with staircases in terms of coordination? To gain insight into these and similar questions, the purpose of this study was to investigate patterns of intersegmental coordination in different modes of stair climbing.