Stair climbing: an alternative exercise modality for firefighters.

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the maximal cardiorespiratory responses of firefighters to stair-climbing work and to compare these responses to maximal treadmill exercise. Thirty-eight firefighters volunteered to participate in the study. Maximal CR including oxygen consumption (VO2), ventilatory equivalent for oxygen (VE/VO2), minute ventilation (VE) and heart rate (HR) were measured during both stair climbing and graded treadmill exercise. The results showed that VO2max and HRmax were significantly lower, 7% and 2% respectively, and the VE/VO2 was significantly higher (6.7%) during the stair-climbing exercise. Maximal VE was not different between the two modes of exercise. The results suggest that since VO2max and HRmax were lower during stair climbing, the metabolic cost of firefighting tasks as related to VO2max on a treadmill may not be accurately reflected. Since stair climbing is a task-specific activity for firefighters, it is recommended that testing of firefighters be performed on a stair-climbing device, and that the difference in VO2max between treadmill and stair-climbing exercise be considered when recommending a desired fitness level for firefighters.