The Application of Stairclimbing to Ergometry

Abstract

Experimental data on the oxygen uptake of eight U.S. subjects for climbing stairs at free pace and two subjects climbing on an oscalator with and without a load of 10.75 kg are compared to group mean data on 6-8 Indian subjects drawn from a pool of 20 subjects climbing stairs of varying designs at controlled rates with loads up to 30 kg on their heads. From the pooled data on these subjects, a regression of the oxygen uptake ( V_{o 1} ml/kg min) on speed of ascent S(m/min) has been derived:

V_{o 1}(ml/kgmin) = l.2+ 1.74 S(m/min)(r / 0.97).

This regression for stairclimbing is compared to similar relations for other climbing tests, namely, stool stepping and laddermill. The slope constants for V_{o 1}, on speed for these latter tests are higher than for stairclimbing. The reasons for the differences in the regressions for the throe climbing tests are discussed. The potential for ergometric application of the stairclimbing test is indicated.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

N. L. RAMANATHAN

Dr. N. L. Bamanathan is from the National Institute of Occupational Health, Ahmedabad, India and is recipient of a Public Health Service International Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, No. 1-F05-TW-1813-01.