Comparative Effect of Forward and Backward Stair Climbing on Cardio-respiratory Parameters of Apparently Healthy Young Adults

Forward stair climbing (FSC) is associated with cardiovascular fitness benefits, but the training effects of backward stair climbing (BSC) have not been reported in the literature. This study compared the effects of 8 weeks of FSC and BSC on the cardiovascular parameters of apparently healthy young adults. Forty apparently healthy young adults, aged 18-30 years were recruited consecutively and assigned to FSC and BSC training groups. Thirty-one subjects (16 FSC and 15 BSC) completed the study. The FSC subjects climbed a stepladder in the forward direction while the BSC subjects did so in the backward direction. Each paced ascent and descent lasted 8 seconds for both FSC and BSC groups. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DPB), heart rate (HR) and cardiovascular endurance (CE) were evaluated at baseline, and at the end of the 4 and 8 weeks of the study. Data was analysed using mean, standard deviation, percentages, one-way th th