Electromyographic and Electrogoniometric Study

of Stair Climbing Using the Portable Quad-Step Device

ABSTRACT.

    The purpose of this study was to compare lower extremity muscle activity and range of motion (ROM) during stair climbing using the Portable Quad-Step assistive device in comparison to standard stair climbing. Twenty-nine volunteers between the age of 65 and 88 years participated. Electromyographic (EMG) activity was recorded from the rectus femoris, biceps femoris, gluteus maximus, and gastrocnemius muscles. Electrogoniometers recorded hip and knee ROM. There was significantly lessEMGactivity with both the Portable Quad-Step than with standard stairs. The Portable Quad-Step required less hip ROM for stair ascent and less knee ROM for both ascent and descent as 20 compared to standard stairs. The Portable Quad-Step device require less muscle activity and less hip and knee ROM in elderly participants than standard stair climbing without any assistive device. These assistive devices may be useful, when stair climbing, for individuals who have lower extremity weakness or limited lower extremity ROM.

PROCEDURES 

    There were two stair-climbing trials in the study: (1) Portable Quad-Step, and (2) standard steps with no assistive device. Participants were instructed to use the handrail for each trial. The order of the trials was randomized. The standard stairs provided the baseline data for comparison and was used to normalize the EMG data.

    Each participant was instructed in the proper use of the devices and was allowed stair-climbing practice to become familiar with the equipment prior to the trials. The Portable Quad-Step requires a step-to gait pattern (i.e., one foot is placed on a step and the other foot is brought up and placed on that same step). Each participant was allowed to ascend and descend the stairs at their own chosen pace to accommodate for varying levels of functional mobility. Following each trial, the participant was allowed a seated rest break. For safety purposes, each participant donned a gait belt and one researcher stood behind during ascent and in front during descent.

RESULTS

EMG Activity

   The EMG activity in all four muscles was significantly less during stair climbing with the use of the Portable Quad-Step as compared to standard stair climbing. During stair descent, there was significantly less EMG activity in all four muscles with the Portable Quad-Step compared to the standard stairs.

Range of Motion

Hip

    During stair climbing, there was a significant reduction of peak hip ROM for both Portable Quad-Step as compared to the standard steps. The peak Hip ROM during climbing of standard stairs was 34.52◦, for the Portable Quad-Step 24.87◦ (28% less) (Figure 5). In contrast, during stair descent, the results did not reveal a significant difference in hip ROM between the two step conditions. During descent, the peak hip ROM was 23.06- for the standard stairs and 21.37◦ for the Portable Quad-Step (Figure 5).

Knee

Significantly less knee ROM was required for both ascent and descent with the Portable Quad-Step. The peak knee ROM during ascent of standard stairs was 80.28◦, and for the Portable Quad-Step 52.37◦ (35% less) (Figure 6). During stair descent, the peak knee ROM was 73.14◦ for the standard stairs and 47.08◦ (36% less) for the Portable Quad-Step.

DISCUSSION

    Findings of this study showed significant reductions in EMG activity in all four muscles during stair ascent and descent the Portable Quad-Step as compared to standard stairs. These results are similar to another study that examined EMG activity during lateral step-ups of 4 and 8 in. (Brasket al., 1984). The muscle activity in the rectus femoris and biceps femoris in that study was found to be less with the 4-in step during both stair ascent and descent. Increases in hip and knee muscle activity have been found to increase hip and knee flexionmoments and joint contact forces (Andriacchi et al., 1980). In that study, the knee extensor muscles showed the greatest activity during stair descent, thus generating the largest knee joint moments. Findings also showed more activity in the knee extensors during descent as compared to ascent. The higher level of muscle activity required during descent may help explain the higher incidence of falls that have been reported during stair descent (Verghese et al., 2008). That is, lower extremity muscle weakness may be more apparent during stair descent than ascent, and may help account for the increase in falls.

    On the basis of the results of previous studies regarding muscle activity and joint contact forces, the results of this study would suggest that because the Portable Quad-Step produced less muscle activity there may also be a reduction in joint contact forces.

    Hip ROM was found to be significantly less with the Portable Quad-Step during stair climbing, but not during descent. However, the knee joint showed significant reductions in knee ROM during both ascent and descent with the Portable Quad-Step device. Results of this study were similar to the results of other studies. Lark et al. (2004) also found that hip and knee flexion increased with increases in step height. Hip and knee ROM as well as joint moments increase with increases in stair inclination and step height (Riener, Rabuffetti, & Frigo, 2002).

    The results of previous studies indicate that increasing angles of hip and knee motion result in greater muscle activity, joint moments, and joint contact forces. Therefore, the findings of this study suggest that use of The Portable Quad-Step may reduce joint contact forces because of the reduction in hip and knee joint ROM and the reduced muscle activity that is required for stair climbing. It is suggested that a reduction of joint contact forces would be beneficial to individuals who have degenerative joint disorders.

    On the basis of this study, one would expect that while it may take a person some time to get used to the riser height difference between standard stairs and the Portable Quad-Step, the use of the device should not pose a safety hazard for older persons.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study showed a reduction in muscle activity along with reduced hip and knee ROM when using the Portable Quad-Step assistive device compared to standard stairs. Because reduced muscle activity and reduced joint ROM produce less joint contact forces, the authors suggest that the use of the Portable Quad-Step may be beneficial for individuals with degenerative joint disorders, muscle weakness, or restricted ROM. It is possible that the use of this assistive device may also increase the functional level and independence for those individuals.