Weighted stair climbing in mobility-limited older people: a pilot study.

Objectives: To evaluate weighted stair climbing exercise (SCE) as a means of increasing lower extremity muscle power in mobility-limited older people.

Design: Single-blinded, randomized controlled pilot study.

Setting: Human physiology laboratory of a metropolitan university.

Participants: Forty-five community-dwelling people aged 65 and older who had baseline mobility limitations manifested by scores of 11 or lower on the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB).

Interventions: Subjects were randomized into one of two 12-week exercise programs. The intervention group (SCE) (n = 23) ascended and descended stairs, at a set pace, while wearing a weighted vest. The control group (WALK) (n = 22) participated in a standardized walking program.

Measurements: Primary and secondary outcomes included measures of muscle power and strength, submaximal aerobic capacity, and physical performance.

Results: SCE produced 17% improvement in double leg press peak power in comparison with WALK (P =.013) and significant improvement in stair climbing power from baseline (12%). Improvement in submaximal aerobic performance was equivalent for both groups. Although not statistically significant, effect size estimates suggest that SCE can potentially influence knee extension power and strength. Stair climb time was improved in both groups, whereas SCE produced significant improvements from baseline SPPB score in a subcohort of participants.

Conclusions: These findings suggest that SCE maybe a useful component of a home exercise program designed to enhance lower extremity muscle power, aerobic capacity, and functional performance. Further investigation is needed involving larger sample sizes and direct comparisons with other forms of resistance training.