The effect of pitched and vertical ladder ergometer climbing on cardiorespiratory and psychophysical variables.

Barron, P.-J.; Burgess, K.; Cooper, K.; Stewart, A.D.

Abstract

This study aimed to assess whether modifying the pitch of a 75° ladder ergometer to vertical had a cardiorespiratory or psychophysical effect on climbing. Nine male participants climbed a ladder ergometer at 75° and subsequently at 90°, adjusted for an equivalent vertical climb rate, completing three climbing bouts at different vertical speeds. One participant dropped out being unable to complete the climb under the 90° condition. Each was monitored for heart rate (HR), V˙O2 and rating of perceived exertion (RPE). Results showed vertical climbing induced higher V˙O2 (mean increase 17.3%), higher HR (mean increase 15.8%), and higher RPE at all speeds and that moving from 75° to vertical exacerbates the effect of speed on the cardiorespiratory response to climbing. This may be explained by increased force production required to maintain balance in a vertical climbing position when the body's centre of mass is not above the feet.

Citation

BARRON, P.-J., BURGESS, K., COOPER, K. and STEWART, A.D. 2018. The effect of pitched and vertical ladder ergometer climbing on cardiorespiratory and psychophysical variables. Applied ergonomics [online], 66, pages 172-176. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2017.09.001

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 1, 2017
• Online Publication Date: Sep 15, 2017
• Publication Date: Jan 31, 2018
• Deposit Date: Sep 19, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 16, 2018
• Journal: Applied Ergonomics
• Print ISSN: 0003-6870
• Electronic ISSN: 1872-9126
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 66
• Pages: 172-176
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2017.09.001
• Keywords: Ladder ergometer; Pitched ladder climbing; Vertical ladder climbing; Ladder climbing physiology
• Public URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10059/2508