Physiological responses and energy expenditures of women using stairs of three designs.

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Abstract
To determine the effect of differences in architectural designs for stairways on the energy expenditure, heart rate, and other cardiovascular responses of women when using stairs, 3 different combinations of riser heights and tread widths were tested by using an adjustable stairstep treadmill especially developed for this purpose. Energy expenditures, of 8 women were significantly different for using stairs of 3 designs, with a mean cost of 7.8, 13.3 and 15.3 (mean, 12.1) for ascending; and 5.3, 7.4, and 8.4 (mean, 7.1) cal/kg-m vertical distance for gentle, intermediate, and steep (27[degree], 38[degree], and 40[degree]) slopes, respectively. Pulse rate and systolic blood pressure also varied significantly with stair design, with these responses ranking the designs in the same order as did energy expenditure.

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