目的：階梯跨步運動是目前受到歡迎的運動方式，它可以提升成人運動耗氧量、減少體脂肪和促進肌肉在力量與耐力方面的表現。有研究階梯的高度與跨步的速度，對於階梯跨步運動在心肺耐力方面的影響，也有研究增加不同形式的阻力訓練，對下肢功能的影響，也有研究探討在同一個階梯高度與跨步速度之下，兩種不同方向的跨步運動，包括前跨與側跨，下肢各個關節的力學上的反應，還有增加阻力後的反應，但是這些研究並沒有進一步且專一性地探討下肢各個關節和肌肉，在不同階梯高度之下從事活動時生物力學上的反應狀況，所以本實驗的目的便是評估在不同的階梯高度與方向之下的階梯跨步活動所產生的下肢生物力學上的反應。
研究方法：30名健康的年輕成人參與，男生與女生各15名，平均年齡22.93歲（標準差2.88歲）。人體測量參數、動作分析系統（VICON）收集的3維空間運動學資料和力板（Kistler）取得的地面反應力力學資料，透過反動態方程式求得3種階梯高度（6英吋、8英吋及10英吋）和2種運動方向（前跨與側跨）下矢狀平面和額狀平面的下肢關節角度、關節淨力矩及關節淨功率（跨步速度為每分鐘120下）。利用重複測量的3因子變異數分析評估3種階梯高度、2種跨步方向及2種跨步狀態（下降狀態和上升狀態）對下肢三個關節的最大淨力矩值和最大淨功率值的差異性，重複測量雙因子變異數分析則用來評估3種階梯高度和2種跨步方向，對時間參數和下肢最大關節角度值的影響。
結果：在運動學方面，最大髖關節彎曲角度值、最大髖關節外展角度值、最大踝關節背屈角度值、最大踝關節蹠曲角度值和最大踝關節內收角度值，隨踏步高度呈現顯著性差異。側踏產生較大的最大髖關節彎曲角度值、最大膝關節彎曲角度值及最大踝關節背屈和蹠曲角度值，前踏則有較大的最大髖關節伸直角度值。在動力學方面，除最大踝關節背屈淨力矩值外，其餘最大關節淨力矩值和最大關節淨功率值都隨踏步高度有顯著的增加。最大踝關節背屈淨力矩值在前踏和側踏沒有顯著差異。前踏產生較大的最大髖關節伸直淨力矩值、最大膝關節彎曲淨力矩值及最大踝關節蹠曲淨力矩值，側跨產生較大的髖關節、膝關節及踝關節的最大內縮淨力矩值、最大外展淨力矩值以及最大淨功率值。
結論：針對靜式生活型態的年輕成人，從6英吋到10英吋增加階梯高度的效果，能夠對下肢3個關節的淨力矩和淨功率產生顯著地提升。前跨的活動能對髖關節伸直方向和踝關節蹠曲方向產生較大的負荷。至於下肢關節的內縮方向和外展方向，則透過側跨的活動能產生更多的負荷。所有的功率在側踏都比前踏有較大的表現。

Objective:Bench stepping activities have become an extremely popular form of exercise. They have been shown to improve cardiovascular fitness, reduce body fat, and increase the performance of the both muscular strength and endurance in adults. The investigations of the bench stepping activities have focused on the cardiovascular responses to difference bench heights and stepping speed, and the lower-extremity kinetic responses to the combination of various resistance training and two stepping maneuvers, the forward stepping and lateral stepping. Little was known about the specific demand of lower-extremity during different step heights. The aim of this study was to investigate the biomechanical response of lower-extremity during steps down from three different heights of bench in sedentary young adults.
Methods:30 healthy young adults (15 male, 15 female) (mean 22.93 yr (standard deviation, 2.88 yr)) participated. Anthropometric data, three dimensional kinematics (VICON) and ground reaction forces (Kistler) were used to calculate net joint moments and powers of lower-extremity(using inverse dynamics equations) in the sagittal and frontal planes while subjects stepped down from three heights of bench at a cadence of 120 beats per minute. Repeated measures ANOVAs were used to evaluate the differences in mean peak joint angles, mean peak net joint moments, and mean peak net joint powers at each joint among two stepping activities and three bench heights.
Results:In kinematic, the peak hip flexion, peak hip abduction, peak ankle dorsiflexion, peak ankle plantaflexion, and peak ankle adduction were significantly greater with 10 inch condition compared to 6 inch condition. The peak hip flexion, knee flexion, ankle dorsiflexion and plantarflexion were significantly greater during lateral stepping, while peak hip extension was significantly greater during forward stepping. In kinetic, significant increases were observed for peak joint moments and powers from 6 inch condition to 10 inch condition, except for peak ankle dorsiflexor moment. No significant difference was exited for ankle dorsiflexor moment between forward stepping and lateral stepping. The forward stepping generated greater peak hip extensor moment, peak knee flexor moment, and peak ankle plantar flexor moment, and the lateral stepping resulted in greater peak adductor moments, peak abductor moments and peak powers at the hip, knee, and ankle.
Conclusions:In sedentary young adults, it substantially increases the mechanical demand on the peak moments and peak powers from 6 inch condition to 10 inch condition. The forward stepping places greater demand on the hip extension and ankle plantar flexion, while lateral stepping places greater demand on the adduction and abduction of the hip, knee, and ankle. All powers are greater during lateral stepping compared to forward stepping.

1. Andriacchi TP, Andersson GBJ, Fermier RW, Stern D, and Galante JO. A study of lower limb mechanics during stair climbing. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. 62-A: 749-57, 1980.
2. Andriacchi TP, Galante JO, Fermier RW. The influence of total knee-replacement design on walking and stair-climbing. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. 64A:1328-35, 1982.
3. Baker R, Finney L, and Orr J. A new approach to determine the hip rotation profile from clinical gait analysis data. Human Movement Science. 18: 655-67, 1999.
4. Bean J, Herman S, Kiely DK, Callaban D, Mizer K. Frontera WR, and Fielding RA. Weighted stair climbing in mobility-limited older people: a pilot study. Journal of American Geriatrics Society. 50:663-70, 2002.
5. Boreham CAG, Wallace WFM, and Nevill A. Training effects of accumulated daily stair-climbing exercise in previously sedentary young women. Preventive Medicine. 30: 277-81, 2000.
6. Bravo G, Gauthier P, Roy PM, Payette H, Gaulin P , Harvey M, Peloquin L and Dubois MF. Impact of a 12-month exercise program on the physical and psychological health of osteopenic women. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society 44:756-62, 1996.
7. Cappozzo A. Gait analysis methodology. Human Movement Science. 3:27-50, 1984.
8. Chien MY, Wu YT, Hsu AT, Yang RS, and Lai JS. Efficacy of a 24-week aerobic exercise program for osteopenic postmenopausal women. Calcified Tissue International. 67:443-8, 2000.
9. Costigan PA, Deluzio KJ, and Wuss UP. Knee and hip kinetics during normal stair climbing. Gait & Posture. 16:31-7, 2002.
10. Davis RB III, Õunpuu S, Tyburski D, and Gage JR. A gait analysis data collection and reduction technique. Human Movement Science. 10:575-87, 1991.
11. Duncan JA, Kowalk DL, and Vaughan CL. Six degree of freedom joint power in stair climbing. Gait & Posture. 5:204-10, 1997.
12. Greendale GA, Salem GJ, Young JT, Damesyn M, Marion M, Wang MY, and Reuben DB. A randomized trial of weighted vest use in ambulatory older adults: strength, performance, and quality of life outcomes. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 48:305-11, 2000.
13. Humphries B, Newton RU, Bronks R, Marshall S, McBride J, Triplett-McBride T, Hakkinen K, Kraemer WJ, and Humphries N. Effect of exercise intensity on bone density, strength, and calcium turnover in older women. [Clinical Trial. Controlled Clinical Trial. Journal Article] Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. 32:1043-50, 2000.
14. Kadaba MP, Ramakrishnan HK, and Wootten ME. Measurement of lower extremity kinematics during level walking. Journal of Orthopaedic Research. 8: 383-92, 1990.
15. Kepple TM, Siegel KL, and Stanhope SJ. Relative contributions of the lower extremity joint moments to forward progression and support during gait. Gait & Posture. 6:1-8, 1997.
16. Kowalk DL, Duncan JA and Vaughan CL. Abduction-adduction moments at the knee during stair ascent and descent. Journal of Biomechanics. 29:383-8, 1996.
17. Kraemer WJ, Keuning M, Ratamess NA, Volek JS, McCormick M, Bush JA, Nindl BC, Gordon SE, Mazzetti SA, Newton RU, Gomez AL, Wickham RB, Rubin MR, and Hakkinen K. Resistance training combined with bench-step aerobics enhances women’s health profile. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. 33:259-69, 2001.
18. Livingston LA, Stevenson JM, and Olney SJ. Stairclimbing kinematics on stairs of differing dimensions. Archives of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. 72:398-402, 1991.
19. Loy SF, Conley LM, Sacco ER, Vincent WJ, Holland GJ, Sletten EG, and Trueblood PR. Effects of stairclimbing on VO2 max and quadriceps strength in middle-aged females. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. 26:241-7, 1994.
20. Maybury MC and Waterfield J. An investigation into the relation between step height and ground reaction forces in step exercise: A pilot study. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 31:109-13, 1997.
21. McCaw ST and Devita P. Errors in alignment of center of pressure and foot coordinates affect predicted lower extremity torques. Journal of Biomechanics. 8:985-8, 1995.
22. McFadyen BJ and Winter DA. An integrated biomechanical analysis of normal stair ascent and descent. Journal of Biomechanics. 9:733-44, 1988.
23. McNitt-Gray J. Kinematics and impulse characteristics of drop landings from three heights. International Journal of Sport Biomechanics. 7:201-24, 1991.
24. Mital A, Fard HF, and Khaledi H. A biomechanical evaluation of staircase riser heights and tread depths during stair climbing. Clinical Biomechanics. 2:162-4, 1987.
25. Morio B, Barra V, Ritz P, Fellmann N, Bonny JM, Beaufrere B, Boire JY, and Vermorel M. Benefit of endurance training in elderly people over a short period is reversible. [Journal Article] European Journal of Applied Physiology. 81:329-36, 2000.
26. Nadeau S, McFadyen BJ, and Malouin F. Frontal and sagittal plane analyses of the stair climbing task in healthy adults aged over 40 years：what are the challenges compared to level walking. Clinical Biomechanics 18:950-9, 2003.
27. Nisell R and Mizrahi J. Knee and ankle joint forces during steps and jumps down from two different heights. Clinical Biomechanics. 3:92-100, 1988.
28. Olson MS, Williford HN, Blessing DL, and Greathouse R. The cardiovascular and metabolic effects of bench stepping exercise in females. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. 23:1311-7, 1991.
29. Olson MS, Williford HN, Blessing DL, and Brown JA. The physiological effects of bench/step exercise. Sports Medicine. 21:164-75, 1996.
30. Reuben DB and Siu AL. An objective measure of physical function of elderly outpatients. The Physical Performance Test. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 38:1105-12, 1990.
31. Riener R, Rabuffeti M, and Frigo C. Stair ascent and descent at different inclinations. Gait Post. Gait & Posture.15:32-44, 2002.
32. Salem GJ, Flanagan SP, Wang MY, SongJE, Azen SP, and Greendale GA. Lower-extremity kinetic response to weighted-vest resistance during stepping exercise in older adults. Journal of Applied Biomechanics 20:260-74, 2004.
33. Salsich GB, Brechter JH, and Powers CM. Lower extremity kinetics during stair ambulation in patients with and without patellofemoral pain. Clinical Biomechanics. 16:906-12, 2001.
34. Shinno N. Analysis of knee function in ascending and descending stairs. International Medicine and Sport. 6:202-7, 1971.
35. Stanforth D, Stanforth PR, and Velasquez KS. Aerobic requirement of bench stepping. International Journal of Sports Medicine. 14:129-33, 1993.
36. Startzell JK, Owens DA, Mulfinger LM, and Cavanagh PR. Stair negotiation in older people: a review. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 485:567-80, 2000.
37. Taylor WR, Heller MO, Bergmann G, Duda GN. Tibio-femoral loading during human gait and stair climbing. Journal of Orthopaedic Research. 22:625-32, 2004.
38. Vaughan CL, Davis BL and Connor JC O’. Dynamics of human gait, 2nd edition. Kiboho Publishers, South Africa. 1999.
39. Vicon Plug-in Gait (PiG) User Manual, Oxford Metrics Ltd., Oxford UK, 2003.
40. Wang MY, Flanagan SP, Song JE, Greendale GA, and Salem GJ. Lower-extremity biomechanics during forward and lateral stepping activities in older adults. Clinical Biomechanics 18:214-21, 2003.
41. Williford HN, Olson MS, and Blessing DL. The Physiological effects of aerobic dance: A review. Sports Medicine. 8:335-45, 1989.
42. Williford HN, Richards LA, Olson MS, Brown J, Blessing D, and Duey WJ. Bench stepping and running in women: changes in fitness and injury status. Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness. 38:221-6, 1998.
43. Winter DA. Overall principle of lower limb support during stance phase of giat. Journal of Biomechanics. 13:923-7, 1980.
44. Winter DA. Energy generation and absorption at the ankle and knee during fast, natural and slow cadences. Clinical Orthopaedics & Related Research. 175:147-54, 1983.
45. Winter DA. Biomechanics and motor control of human movement, 2nd edition. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York. 1990.
46. Woltring HJ. 3-D attitude representation of human joints: A standardization proposal. Journal of Biomechanics. 27:1399-414, 1994.
47. Zajac F, Gordon M. Determining muscle’s force and action in multiarticular movement. Exercise and Sports Science Reviews. 17:187:230, 1989.