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Effects of stair‐climbing on balance, gait, strength, resting heart rate, and submaximal endurance in healthy seniors
Author(s) -
Donath L.,
Faude O.,
Roth R.,
Zahner L.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of medicine and science in sports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.575
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1600-0838
pISSN - 0905-7188
DOI - 10.1111/sms.12113
Subject(s) - medicine , resting heart rate , physical medicine and rehabilitation , balance (ability) , gait , stair climbing , heart rate , physical therapy , blood pressure
Stair‐climbing serves as a feasible opportunity to remain physically active within everyday‐life. Data on neuromuscular and cardiorespiratory performance after regular stair‐climbing in seniors are scarce. Forty‐eight seniors were stratified to a one‐ (taking every step, INT 1 ) or two‐step strategy (every second step, INT 2 ) or a control group ( CON ). Thirty‐nine seniors [females: n = 22, males: n = 17; age: 70.5 ( SD 5.1) years; BMI : 25.8 (3.1) kg/m 2 ] completed the 8‐week intervention (three weekly sessions). Before and after the intervention, balance, gait, strength, and submaximal endurance (at different intensities) were assessed. Maximal strength and explosive power did not improve significantly (0.10 < P < 0.78). Resting heart rate was significantly reduced in INT 2 (−8/min) compared with INT 1 (0/min, P = 0.02) and CON (0/min, P = 0.03). Compared with CON , perceived exertion for all intensities (0.007 < P < 0.03) and submaximal exercise heart rate during moderate uphill walking significantly decreased (−11/min; P < 0.05) in INT 2 . Step counts for forward beam balancing (4.5 cm width) increased in INT 2 ( P = 0.007) compared with CON . With more pronounced effects in INT 2 , stair‐climbing significantly improved resting and exercise heart rates, perceived exertion, and dynamic balance performance in healthy seniors and may contribute to better overall fitness, reduced fall risk, and less perceived strain during daily life activities.