Stair climbing

About: Stair climbing is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 1610 publications have been published within this topic receiving 30504 citations.

Recovery of mobility after knee arthroplasty: expected rates and influencing factors.

Abstract: Mobility was measured in 79 people 6 months after knee arthroplasty using timed tests of stair climbing and walking speed. Recovery rates were calculated in comparison with a preoperative assessment. Changes in leg extensor power, knee flexion range, and pain were tracked simultaneously. Stair climbing speed improved on average by 53% during the first 6 months, and walking speed by 45%. In multivariate models, 2 preoperative factors emerged as being influential on recovery of mobility: leg extensor power and body mass index. A marked loss of flexion in the postoperative period was not a significant determinant of mobility speed. At 6 months, body mass index was the most significant determinant of stair speed, and leg extensor power was the most significant determinant of walking speed.

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.

Pedometer Accuracy During Stair Climbing and Bench Stepping Exercises

Abstract: The purpose of the present investigation was to examine pedometer accuracy during stair climbing and descending as well as during the performance of a bench stepping exercise. Ten healthy men participated in the present investigation. All subjects ascended and descended an 18 cm high public staircase, and performed a bench stepping exercise by using a 10, 20 and 30 cm high platforms, while wearing three different commercial pedometers (DW-800, YM, HJ- 700IT; OM, Lifecorder; KZ). In both situations, the stepping rate was controlled at 40, 50, 80, 100 and 120 steps·min-1. The pedometer scores tended to underestimate the actual number of steps during stair climbing with a slower stepping rate and/or the lower height of a platform. During the stair ascending and descending and the bench stepping exercise using 20 to 30 cm high platforms at 80 to 120 steps·min-1, the magnitude of the measurement error was -3.8 ± 10. 8 % for KZ, -2.1 ± 9.8 % for YM and -11.0 ± 18.9 % for OM. These results indicate that the KZ and the YM can accurately assess the number of steps during stair climbing using 20 to 30 cm high platforms at 80 to 120 steps·min-1. Key points Pedometers can assess the number of step accurately within an acceptable range of measurement error during the stair climbing activities at a stepping rate of 80 step·min-1 or faster with 18 cm or higher stairs.