Horna, F.E.

Hudson, J.L.

English

ISBS (International Society of Biomechanics in Sports): Conference Proceedings Archive

INTERSEGMENTAL COORDINATION IN STAIR CLIMBING I F. E. Homa and J. L. Hudson University of North Carolina at Greensboro, NC USA I Stair climbing has become a popular form of training for athletes as well as non- athletes. Considering that there are a plethora of devices for stair climbing. how does a person decide which apparatus to use? Aside from issues of practicality, much of the decision couldbe basedon theprinciples of specificity of mining. Thatis.formaximurn transfer of benefits from one activity to another, the activities should be compatiile in the usage of energy systems, muscle groups, and patterns of coordination. As for the first two criteria of specificity, the choice is simple: almost all stair climbing devices are beneficial to the aerobic energy system and the leg extensor muscles. However. for the criterion of coordination, the choice may be more difficult. First, the reasons for exexxising on stairs are diverse. They can range born cross-training for the serious athlete who wishes to gain a competitive advantage toreconditioning for the injured or elderly person who wishes to safely negotiate the staircase at home. Second, little is known about the patterns of coordination that areemployed in leg extensoractivities. To date, only jumping (Bobbert & van Ingen Schenau, 1988; Hudson, 1986) and speed skating (Koning et al.. 199 1) have been analyzed in terms of intersegmental coordination. From the data depicted in these studies, it appears that the thigh and shank operate with predominant simultaneity in both these tasks. That is, the thigh and shank both begin and end their propulsive phases at approximately the same times. Presuming a volleyball player wanted to reinforce a simultaneous pattern of coordination, do either stair machines or staircases afford this opport~nity? Presuming a person with a hip replacement wanted to rehabilitate with a stair machine. do certain stair machines compare more favorably with staircases in terms of modination? To gain insight into these and similar questions, the purpose of this study was to investigate patterns of intersegmental coordination in different modes of stair climbing. METHODOLOGY The stair climbing devices for this study were chosen from the categories of dependent machine, independent machine, and conventional staircase. The distinction between dependent and independent machine is based on the method of step-rate control during exercise. For dependent devices as well as staircases, the regulation of step-rate is dependent on the exerciser; for independent devices, which are controlled by computer, the regulation of step-rate is independent of the exerciser. In this study the dependent category of stair climbing was represented by ~ ~ ~ P R E C O R  7.4 machink. The independent category was represented by the TETRIX CLIMBMAX and the STAIRMASTER 4000 machines. The final mode of stair climbing was represented by a five-step staircase. Because the staircase hada riser height of 19 cm, the stair machines were constrained to a similar range of motion by placing wooden blocks beneath the steps. In addition, the resistance on the mechanical devices was set to elicit an exercise intensity of 9 mets, and trials were continued until this steady state of exercise was reached. Two adult females served as subjects. Both were habitual exercisers for health- related fitness and wereexperiencedat using stair climbing machines. Each subject wore close-fitting exercise attire and reflective tape on the right hip, knee, and ankle. Subject 1 performed in all four stair conditions (i.e., PRECOR. TETRIX, STAIRMASTER, STAIRCASE) while Subject 2performedonly on thePRECOR and TETRIX machines. For each stepping condition a lateral view of the subject was videotaped. A representative stride from the steady -state period of exercise was digitized and smoothed with the PEAK Performance Measurement System. After the angular velocities of the thigh and shank segments were calculated, the extension phase of the right leg was analyzed. For each segment the interval fiom zero velocity to peak velocity was defined as the period of propulsion, and the interval from peak velocity to zen, velocity was defined as the period of post-propulsion. If the thigh and shank segments were in concurrent propulsion during extension, the movement was considered to be simulta- neous. If the thigh segment concluded propulsion as or before the shank segment initiated propulsion, the movement was considered to be sequential. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 'Ihe angularvelocitiesof theright thigh and shank for each subject and stair device axe depicted in Figure 1. For Subject 1 on the PRECOR machine the thigh and shank began propulsion at essentially the same time (0.35 s). Next. the shank reached peak velocity and ended propulsion slightly before the thigh. Finally, both segments concluded the phaseof post-propulsion at the same time. Thus, the thigh and shank were operating simultaneously for this subject and this machine. 'Ihe pattern of coordination for Subject 2 on the PRECOR was also simultaneous during propulsion and post- propulsion. Both subjects had distinct adjustments near the end of the post-propulsive phase. Subject 2 also demonstrated an irregularity in shank velocity near the end of propulsion. Appa~ently this irregularity is symptomatic for Subject 2 because it also occurred when she exercised on the TETRIX. Nevertheless, she was able to initiate propulsion and terminate post-propulsion simultaneously. Although the shank reached peak angular velocity somewhat before the thigh, this pattern of coordination was predominantly simultaneous. 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JOY 30 uogdcnxa aq qlp~ 'urns UI 'x~ua aq uo ssauprenyme 30 suo!ssardm! a~yNqns pwodar a3afqns qoq 'ppd gal aq OI ~qS!am Sq~!qs apalqar 61aqq ars auaussnfp asap aIW .uo!slndard-lsod jo pua ayl mu &!mx>~a~ y sluaunsnfpe 13ugsp psll slHqns qmq'ufls aao -Xpnoou~lllnmp STAIRMASTER might be appropriate for an individual who is rehabilitating for climbing stairs. REFERENCES Bobbert, M. F. & Ingen Schenau, G. J. van. (1988). Coordination in vertical jumping. Journal of Biomechanics, 21,249-262. Hudson, J. L. (1986). Coordination of segments in h e  vertical jump. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 18,242-251. Koning, J. de. Groat, G. de, & Ingen Schenau, G. J. van. (199 1). Coordination of leg muscles during speed skating. Journal of Biomechanics, 24, 137-146. 

INTERSEGMENTAL COORDINATION IN STAIR CLIMBING

https://ojs.ub.uni-konstanz.de/cpa/article/download/2649/2487

INTERSEGMENTAL COORDINATION IN STAIR CLIMBING

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