Abstract: ObjectiveTo study energy consumption in different patterns of ascending and descending the stairs.Methods10 healthy individuals (with an average age of 32.2) were examined with four patterns of ascending and descending the stairs. They were common pattern (one step on one stair step, and the next step on the next stair step), side-pattern (side-stepping), oblique pattern (subject will ascend/descend at 45° angle), and two-step-one stair pattern (subjects will walk one step at a time in single stair step before proceeding to the next stair step). Meantime, SaO₂, heart rate, respiration rate, and ventilation rate were measured.ResultsDuring investigation it was found out that SaO₂ and heart rate with normal pattern was the highest. No difference was noticed in SaO₂ between side-pattern, oblique pattern,and two-step-one stair pattern. Heart rate with two-step-one stair pattern was found to be the lowest.Conclusion Two-step-one stair pattern and oblique pattern were suitable for aged and handicapped persons.

Key words: energy, ascending and descending the stairs, pattern of activity