title: The physiological effect of a 'climb assist' device on vertical ladder climbing.
abstract: 'Climb assist' claims to reduce strain when climbing ladders; however, no research has yet substantiated this. The purpose of this study was to assess the physiological and psychophysical effects of climb assist on 30 m ladder climbing at a minimum acceptable speed. Eight participants (six male and two female) climbed a 30 m ladder at 24 rungs per minute with and without climb assist, and were monitored for heart rate (HR), [Formula: see text]O2and rate of perceived exertion (RPE). All three variables decreased significantly (p < 0.05) with climb assist with [Formula: see text]O2decreasing by 22.5%, HR by 14.8% and RPE decreasing by a mean of 2.3 units on the 10-point Borg scale. When descending the ladder [Formula: see text]O2decreased by a mean of 42% compared to that ascending. At the minimal acceptable climbing speed climb assist decreases the physiological strain on climbers, as demonstrated by reduced [Formula: see text]O2, HR and perceived exertion. Practitioner Summary: 'Climb assist' systems claim to reduce strain when climbing, however; no research has yet been published to substantiate this. A crossover study compared [Formula: see text]O2, HR and RPE at a minimal acceptable climbing speed with and without climb assist. Climb assist significantly reduced all variables confirming it reduces strain when climbing.
authors.affiliation: a Faculty of Health and Social Care , Robert Gordon University , Aberdeen , UK.
authors.forename: Peter James
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1900-1807
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Barron
authors.affiliation: b School of Health Sciences , Robert Gordon University , Aberdeen , UK.
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Burgess
authors.affiliation: b School of Health Sciences , Robert Gordon University , Aberdeen , UK.
authors.forename: Kay
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9958-2511
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.affiliation: a Faculty of Health and Social Care , Robert Gordon University , Aberdeen , UK.
authors.forename: Arthur D
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4407-0946
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Stewart
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D000067190:Exoskeleton Device; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology; D013180:Sprains and Strains / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000072799:Stair Climbing / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Ladder climbing; climb assist; climbing physiology; vertical ladders