Stair Descending Exercise Using a Novel Automatic Escalator: Effects on Muscle Performance and Health-Related Parameters

Abstract

A novel automatic escalator was designed, constructed and used in the present investigation. The aim of the present investigation was to compare the effect of two repeated sessions of stair descending versus stair ascending exercise on muscle performance and health-related parameters in young healthy men. Twenty males participated and were randomly divided into two equal-sized groups: a stair descending group (muscle-damaging group) and a stair ascending group (non-muscle-damaging group). Each group performed two sessions of stair descending or stair ascending exercise on the automatic escalator while a three week period was elapsed between the two exercise sessions. Indices of muscle function, insulin sensitivity, blood lipid profile and redox status were assessed before and immediately after, as well as at day 2 and day 4 after both exercise sessions. It was found that the first bout of stair descending exercise caused muscle damage, induced insulin resistance and oxidative stress as well as affected positively blood lipid profile. However, after the second bout of stair descending exercise the alterations in all parameters were diminished or abolished. On the other hand, the stair ascending exercise induced only minor effects on muscle function and health-related parameters after both exercise bouts. The results of the present investigation indicate that stair descending exercise seems to be a promising way of exercise that can provoke positive effects on blood lipid profile and antioxidant status.

Does Combined Antioxidant Vitamin Supplementation Blunt Repeated Bout Effect?

“…Consistent with previous studies [12,27,30,[34][35][36], the repeated bout effect was evident in our study: CK activity and DOMS were significantly lower following 2D than 1D, and ORAC was up-regulated before 2D compared to 1D. The beneficial effect of eccentrically-biased exercise on health-related parameters and muscle performance has been shown by several researchers [32,33,37]. Nikolaidis et al [33] found that muscle damage and circulating oxidative stress were lower following the second bout of eccentric knee flexions than the first bout.…”

“…Nikolaidis et al [33] found that muscle damage and circulating oxidative stress were lower following the second bout of eccentric knee flexions than the first bout. Results of Paschalis et al [37] suggest that stair-descending exercise has a health-promoting effect on blood redox status and lipid profiles compared to stair-ascending exercise. This adaptive response to repeated bouts of eccentric exercise/training benefits not only the young population but also the elderly [32].…”

Effect of Lumbar Spine Manipulation on Asymptomatic Cyclist Sprint Performance and Hip Flexibility

“…Despite this, it is normal in exercise science research to engage in underpowered studies involving 10 to 20 participants per compared study group to observe data trends. [56][57][58][59][60] The findings of this study cannot be extrapolated to participants with low back pain. It is reasonable to suggest that cyclists with low back pain, who did receive manipulation, would have reacted differently than asymptomatic participants in this study.…”

The Ergogenic Effect of Elastic Therapeutic Tape on Stride and Step Length in Fatigued Runners

“…Despite this, it is normal in exercise science research to engage in underpowered studies involving 10 to 20 participants per compared study group to observe data trends. [52][53][54][55][56] Lastly, this study did not have a placebo group; and it is feasible that the placebo effect could have impacted study results because only one intervention was used. Future comparative studies should include a placebo group.…”