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Showing papers on "Stair climbing published in 1992"


Journal ArticleDOI
01 Dec 1992-Chest
TL;DR: Exercise testing showed that preoperative exercise testing is a useful adjunct to traditional spirometric testing in evaluation of the high-risk surgical patients.

231 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A regression model that used flexibility and leg-strength measurements provided a better fit of the older adult data, indicating that models applying functional (kinematic and kinetic) criteria might be useful in describing lawful relationships between organisms and the environment.
Abstract: This experiment extended Warren's leg-length model by investigating the relevance of leg strength and joint flexibility on perceptual judgments of climbability. From a set of 8 stairs (riser heights: 38-91 cm), 24 older and 24 young adults were asked to identify the highest stair they could climb without using their hands or knees. Subjects then attempted to climb the selected stair. Tall and short young observers perceived similar action boundaries despite leg-length differences. Tall and short older adults had divergent action boundaries when a single-scale leg-length model was applied. A regression model that used flexibility and leg-strength measurements provided a better fit of the older adult data, indicating that models applying functional (kinematic and kinetic) criteria might be useful in describing lawful relationships between organisms and the environment. Language: en

184 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is concluded that upper-body kinematics relative to both pelvis and gravity during daily activities are important to locomotor control and should be considered in future studies of patients with locomotor disabilities.
Abstract: We investigated upper-body (ie, trunk) angular kinematics (motions) during gait, stair climbing and descending, and rising from a chair in two reference frames--relative to the pelvis and to room coordinates. Bilateral kinematic data were collected from 11 healthy subjects (6 female, 5 male), who were 27 to 88 years of age (mean = 58.9, SD = 17.9). During stair climbing, maximum trunk flexion relative to the room was at least double that during stair descending and gait. Arising from a chair required the most trunk flexion/extension range of motion (ROM) but the least abduction/adduction and medial/lateral (internal/external) rotation. Trunk ROM during gait was small (mean less than or equal to 12 degrees) and consistent with previous literature. Trunk range of motion relative to the room during stair climbing and descending was greater than trunk ROM during gait in all planes. The pelvis and trunk rotate in the transverse plane in greater synchrony during stair descending (mean = 8.1 degrees, SD = 5.6 degrees) than during gait (mean = 12.0 degrees, SD = 4.2 degrees). For all activities, trunk frontal and sagittal ROM relative to the pelvis was greater than that relative to the room coordinates. This finding suggests that trunk/pelvis coordination may be used to reduce potentially destabilizing anti-gravity trunk motions during daily activities. We conclude that upper-body kinematics relative to both pelvis and gravity during daily activities are important to locomotor control and should be considered in future studies of patients with locomotor disabilities.

174 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: An anatomically accurate three‐dimensional linear finite element model was constructed and verified against experimental strain measurements in the cement mantle and good agreement was found between predicted and measured strains.

111 citations


Patent
01 May 1992
TL;DR: An exercise device capable of performing three discrete exercise activities, and including a treadmill suitable for simulating a running or walking exercise, and further including a pair of slidable foot restraints (34, 35) mounted within rails (56, 57) adjacent to the treadmill (9) in order to simulate a cross country skiing exercise is described in this article.
Abstract: An exercise device (1) capable of performing three discrete exercise activities, and including a treadmill (9) suitable for simulating a running or walking exercise, and further including a pair of slidable foot restraints (34, 35) mounted within rails (56, 57) adjacent to the treadmill (9) in order to simulate a cross country skiing exercise. A pair of reciprocating, pivotable foot paddles (58, 59) are cooperatively attached in a first embodiment to pneumatic cylinders (89, 90), while in a second embodiment are cooperatively attached to conical resistance mechanisms (112, 113) so as to simulate a stair climbing activity. A pivotable torso support (11) is provided to assist the balance of a person performing any of the three exercise activities.

77 citations


Patent
25 Sep 1992
TL;DR: In this article, the authors describe an exercise apparatus for simulating a variety of perambulatory movements such as walking, stair climbing, jogging, skiing, and jumping, where the user exerts forces on the springs to simulate perambulation movements, flexing and oscillating the springs in a desired manner according to the degree of exertion appropriate for the user.
Abstract: The specification discloses an exercise apparatus for simulating a variety of perambulatory movements such as walking, stair climbing, jogging, skiing, and jumping In one embodiment, oscillators in the nature of leaf springs are pivotally suspended side-by-side from a frame for oscillatory movement after the manner of step paths The feet of a user are positioned in foot supports mounted on the springs To exercise, the user exerts forces on the springs to simulate perambulatory movements, flexing and oscillating the springs in a desired manner according to the degree of exertion appropriate for the user

50 citations


Patent
28 Jul 1992
TL;DR: An improved stair climbing exercise machine is described in this paper, which includes a support frame, right and left foot-receiving pedals, and a drive system, and includes a multiple pulley and strap arrangement.
Abstract: An improved stair climbing exercise machine is provided The machine biomechanically simulates climbing stairs to provide exercise for a user and broadly includes a support frame, right and left foot-receiving pedals, and a drive system The frame includes a base and a generally tubular, inclined slide mast The pedals are mounted on respective independently moveable shuttles slidably received in channels at each side of the mast The electrically released drive system is operably coupled to the pedals and includes a multiple pulley and strap arrangement

23 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Strict invariant relative timing may not be a fundamental feature of movement kinematics and this conclusion is contrary to previous studies of relative timing that involved less conservative analysis but is consistent with the wider gait literature.
Abstract: The kinematics of stair climbing were examined to test the assertion that relative timing is an invariant feature of human gait. Six male and four female subjects were video-recorded (at 60 Hz) while they climbed a flight of stairs 10 times at each of three speeds. Each gait cycle was divided into three segments by the maximum and minimum angular displacement of the left knee and left foot contact. Gentner's (1987) analysis methods were applied to the individual subject data to determine whether the duration of the segments remained a fixed proportion of gait cycle duration across changes in stair-climbing speed. A similar analysis was performed using knee velocity maxima to partition the gait cycle. Regardless of how the gait cycle was divided, relative timing was not found to remain strictly invariant across changes in speed. This conclusion is contrary to previous studies of relative timing that involved less conservative analysis but is consistent with the wider gait literature. Strict invariant relative timing may not be a fundamental feature of movement kinematics.

17 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: For instance, this paper found that tall and short male observers from three age groups (9 years, 12 years, and adults) judged from projected images whether they could climb steps of different heights.
Abstract: Perceptual judgments relating to stair climbing were examined in two experiments. In the first, tall and short male observers from three age groups (9 years, 12 years, and adults) judged from projected images whether they could climb steps of different heights. They also rated the difficulty of doing so, and adults made certainty ratings about their judgments. Both adults and children perceived that higher steps were less climable and more difficult to climb than lower ones but, unexpectedly, there was no difference between their judgments according to standing height. Smaller intervals between steps were used in the second experiment with 12-year-old boys who made perceptual judgments about real steps either after attempting to climb them or without such experience. Although there was a general tendency to overestimate the height of steps that could be climbed, practice in climbing reduced this tendency. It was concluded that feedback from performance is one of several possible factors that cont...

11 citations


Patent
21 Aug 1992
TL;DR: A stair climbing exercise apparatus for use within a pool of water comprises two steps mounted for reciprocal movement along vertically disposed guides, pulleys disposed at an upper end of the guides, and a cable interconnecting the two steps and extending around the pulleys as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: A stair climbing exercise apparatus for use within a pool of water comprises two steps mounted for reciprocal movement along vertically disposed guides, pulleys disposed at an upper end of the guides, and a cable interconnecting the two steps and extending around the pulleys. Mounted on each of the steps, for movement therewith, is a flap having a relatively large surface disposed perpendicularly to the direction of movements of the steps. In use, when one of the steps is moved downwardly by the foot of a user of the apparatus, the other step is moved upwardly by the interconnecting cable. The water resists movement of the flaps, hence provides resistance to downward movement of the steps.

6 citations


Patent
24 Jun 1992
TL;DR: In this paper, an electronic control device for a stair climbing vehicle such as a wheelchair by determining an inclination of stairs in response to a front and a back ranging sensors, and prohibiting motion on the stairs beyond specified geometric characteristics is presented.
Abstract: PURPOSE: To provide an electronic control device for a stair climbing vehicle such as a wheelchair by determining an inclination of stairs in response to a front and a back ranging sensors, and prohibiting motion on the stairs beyond specified geometric characteristics. CONSTITUTION: In normal conditions, a wheelchair moves along the horizontal ground, constantly checks a sonar (ultrasonic transducer) to dropping in a vertical direction, and checks an inclination gauge 274A. Inclination of a seat part is adjusted by reading the number in the inclination gauge 274A, and holding a user in the vertical direction. As an upward vertical direction inclination of stairs as a sufficient inclination is detected, the wheelchair is transferred to a stair mode, and inclination of stairs, that is of a ramp, is computed based on a traveling distance by encoders 70, 72 and a height of the stair by an ultrasonic sensor 76. When the ramp, or the stair is excessively sharp, further advance is prohibited, and when the ramp or stair is not excessively sharp, the seat part of the wheelchair is adjusted to the lowest stable angle at a top part of the ramp or stair.

01 Mar 1992
TL;DR: Assessment of tolerance to stair climbing activities is warranted during the second week post-myocardial infarction, based upon preliminary findings.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the hemodynamic responses and activity tolerance to stair climbing of second week post-myocardial infarction (MI) patients. Forty MI patients were stratified into beta-blocker medication users and non-users and randomly assigned to the experimental or control conditions. The 21 experimental subjects performed a walk/stair climb, and the 19 control subjects, a walk/stand activity protocol. Changes in heart rate and blood pressure from before, to immediately after both the walk/stair and walk/stand activity protocols were clinically small. No significant differences existed in the distribution of hemodynamic signs among the experimental and control subjects. However, proportionately more experimental than control subjects had symptoms of activity intolerance (7/21 vs 1/19; p less than 0.05). No correlation existed between activity (in) tolerance and either days post-MI or time required for stair climbing. Based upon these preliminary findings, assessment of tolerance to stair climbing activities is warranted during the second week post-MI.

Patent
22 Apr 1992
TL;DR: In this article, the authors proposed a utility model for electric stair climbing vehicles, where the wheels are composed of wheel sleeves, wheel arms and small wheels, three bent wheel arms are evenly distributed outside the wheel sleeves and the small wheels are arranged on the tail ends of the wheel arms.
Abstract: The utility model relates to an electric stair climbing vehicle, which is composed of wheels, wheel shafts, a vehicle frame, a motor speed reducer and a power supply, wherein, the wheels are composed of wheel sleeves, wheel arms and small wheels, three bent wheel arms are evenly distributed outside the wheel sleeves, and the small wheels are arranged on the tail ends of the wheel arms. The utility model has the advantages of steady performance, no impact, safety, force saving, etc. during stair climb.

Patent
15 Jan 1992
TL;DR: In this article, a wheel and belt combined type transport vehicle capable of climbing stairs is described, where the utility model is added with two rolling belt components on the basis of a two-wheeled vehicle, each roller is installed on a roller frame through a wheel shaft, and the roller frames are connected with support frame connecting rods.
Abstract: The utility model relates to a wheel and belt combined type transport vehicle capable of climbing stairs, which belongs to the technical field of a transport tool. The utility model is characterized in that the utility model is added with two rolling belt components on the basis of a two-wheeled vehicle, each roller is installed on a roller frame through a wheel shaft, and the roller frames are connected with support frame connecting rods; a rigid inner track is wound on a roller set, and the rolling belts are installed below a vehicle frame through the support frame connecting rods. The utility model not only solves the problem of stair climbing transport, but also climbs steadily without bumping, and is widely used for travel, residential houses, engineering vehicles, etc.

Patent
18 Jun 1992

Journal Article
TL;DR: MMEFP (per cent mid maximum expiratory flow) showed statistically significant differences between patients with and without complications.
Abstract: In order to determine the relationship between pulmonary function, performance on stair climbing, pre- and post-exercise arterial blood gases and post thoracotomy complications, we performed a prospective study on 19 patients. Sixteen of seventeen patients could accomplish a five flight stair climb. All of the seventeen patients survived and could be weaned off the respirator. Four developed postoperative complications. MMEFP (per cent mid maximum expiratory flow) showed statistically significant differences between patients with and without complications.

Patent
23 Dec 1992
TL;DR: In this article, a light and folding caterpillar band type stair climbing vehicle, which is composed of a caterpillars supporting frame, a pulley wheel, a rolling wheel, wheels, a draw rod and a suspended type gas jar fixing device, is described.
Abstract: The utility model discloses a light and folding caterpillar band type stair climbing vehicle, which is composed of a caterpillar band supporting frame, a pulley wheel, a rolling wheel, wheels, a draw rod and a suspended type gas jar fixing device. The utility model is also provided with an adjustable supporting rod used for adjusting the best upslope capturing point. When the utility model runs, the major weight of the utility model is born by the wheels, a caterpillar band is used for guiding, and thus the push move is light and stable and can be stopped to have a rest at any time. The utility model has better work safety. Besides, the utility model has the advantages of simple and reasonable structure, small size, light weight, convenient folding performance, convenient collection, etc. The utility model is especially suitable for carrying liquefied petroleum gas jars for going upstairs.


Patent
02 Dec 1992
TL;DR: In this paper, a plain land and stair climbing multifunction vehicle with a push handle adopts the structure of a cradle edge seat and a gallus adopted by a vehicle hopper for realizing a cradle formed from a vehicle body and the vehicle Hopper.
Abstract: The utility model relates to a plain land and stair climbing multifunction vehicle, which is realized by improving the existing stair climbing vehicles further. The utility model uses a structure that rear wheels can swing forward and backward, and thus, the rear wheels can approach front wheels, and the utility model can conveniently and safely pull liquefied gas jars or carry goods or carry babies upstairs and downstairs with force saving. A push handle adopts the structure of a cradle edge seat matched with a cradle edge type gallus adopted by a vehicle hopper for realizing a cradle formed from a vehicle body and the vehicle hopper. The utility model can be used as a baby bed, a children chair, a children couch, etc. at ordinary time. The utility model can be folded to store during disuse. The vehicle is suitable for people living in high-layer buildings and middle aged and old people especially.