Association of Stair Climb Power Test with Muscle Strength in Healthy Individuals – A Cross Sectional Study

INTRODUCTION: Stair climbing is a form of exercise that everyone can do to some degree. The stair climb power test (SCPT) recently was proposed as a simple and safe measures associated with measures of lower limb muscle strength, power, and functional performance in older adults. Because the SCPT does not require additional equipment, it could be a reasonable alternative to more sophisticated tests for measuring lower limb muscle impairments.

OBJECTIVE: To explore association of the stair climb power test with muscle strength in healthy individuals. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional study

METHOD: 50 people who were healthy were tested with the SCPT. Knee extensor and flexor muscle torque was assessed with an isokinetic dynamometer.

RESULTS: The association of the SCPT with knee extensor muscle torque tended to be stronger(r=.69). Knee flexor muscle torque also strongly associated with SCPT(r=.74).

CONCLUSIONS: The SCPT is a simple and safe test associated with muscle strength in healthy individuals. The SCPT can be used as an alternative to the expensive devices and time-consuming laboratory based tests.