Stair climbing

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

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...

Promoting stair climbing: effects of message specificity and validation

Abstract: Current exercise guidelines encourage the daily accumulation of lifestyle activities, such as stair climbing. Although several studies show that visual prompts can increase stair usage, there has been little systematic assessment of the messages employed. Some of the messages used in previous interventions represent general descriptions of stair climbing (e.g. ‘free exercise’), while others emphasize specific consequences of stair use (e.g. ‘keeps you fit’). Twelve hundred structured interviews were conducted in order to establish which type of message is more persuasive. In addition, half of the interviewees were told that the messages were true, in order to assess how validating messages may influence their persuasive appeal. Results suggest that messages focussing on specific consequences are more persuasive than those providing general descriptions and that validating the information presented in stair-climbing interventions may increase their efficacy. Previous messages may not, therefore, have demonstrated the full potential of stair climbing as a model for increasing population activity levels.

Hip Moments During Level Walking, Stair Climbing, and Exercise in Individuals Aged 55 Years or Older

Abstract: Background and Purpose. Low bone mass of the proximal femur is a risk factor for hip fractures. Exercise has been shown to reduce bone loss in older individuals; however, the exercises most likely to influence bone mass of the proximal femur have not been identified. Net moments of force at the hip provide an indication of the mechanical load on the proximal femur. The purpose of this study was to examine various exercises to determine which exercises result in the greatest magnitude and rate of change in moments of force at the hip in older individuals. Subjects and Methods. Walking and exercise patterns were analyzed for 30 subjects (17 men, 13 women) who were 55 years of age or older (X=65.4, SD=6.02, range=55–75) and who had no identified musculoskeletal or neurological impairment. Kinematic and kinetic data were obtained with an optoelectronic system and a force platform. Results. Of the exercises investigated, only ascending stairs generated peak moments higher than those obtained during level walking and only in the transverse plane. Most of the exercises generated moments and rate of change in moments with magnitudes similar to or lower than those obtained during gait. Conclusion and Discussion. Level walking and exercises that generated moments with magnitudes comparable to or higher than those obtained during gait could be combined in an exercise program designed to maintain or increase bone mass at the hip.

Temporal-Spatial Gait Adaptations During Stair Ascent and Descent in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis

Abstract: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) accounts for more functional disability of the lower extremity than any other disease. We recruited 18 patients with knee OA and 18 healthy age-, height-, mass-, and gender-matched control subjects to investigate the effects knee OA has on select spatial and temporal gait variables during a stair climbing task. No group-by-direction interaction was observed; however, significant effects did occur for group and direction. Specifically, patients with knee OA demonstrated less time in single support, greater time in double support, decreased step length, greater step width, less stride length, decreased total gait velocity, greater total time in support, and less total time in swing, compared with controls. Early-stage knee OA directly influences specific temporal and spatial gait characteristics during stair climbing.

Changing behavioral patterns to promote physical activity with motivational signs

Abstract: We have evaluated the effectiveness of motivational signs in promoting stair use instead of escalators, in terms of gender and age, at a train station with a 37-step staircase. We also examined whether a newspaper article, or booster, had any effect on augmenting the impact of the signs. In a serial cross-sectional survey with prompted signs, the subjects were coded by gender and age (over 65 years, under 65 years), and students (13–18 years old and school uniforms). We used a 2-week baseline period, followed by a 4-week intervention in which a total of 45 posters and banners with motivational messages were used to encourage stair use. As a booster, we published a news release of this study on a web site and in a local newspaper during the intervention period. A total of 43,241 escalator/stair-choice observations were made. Stair use increased significantly from 3.58 to 4.93% during the intervention period of 1–2 weeks for all subjects. In addition, stair use had a significantly high value of 5.80% during the intervention period of 3–4 weeks. Stair use also increased in subgroups during the intervention periods with the exception of women 65 and older. Attempts to publicize the study had no effect on the increase in stair use. The use of signs was effective in changing behavior during the period of sign use, but this effectiveness was limited by gender, age, and the physical ability (e.g., muscle strength) and energy required to climb the stairs. The possible synergistic effects of publicity were inconclusive but are worthy of further investigation.