The Effects of Stair Climbing Using Wearable Robot Bot Fit's Resistance

Objective: To confirm the exercise effect of a wearable exercise-assisted robot, the Bot Fit in resist mode (Samsung Electronics), during stair climbing. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Foot pressure and muscle activity were measured when climbing three stories of stairs in 53 participants using foot pressure measurement equipment (W-insole Science System) and surface muscle activity measurement equipment (sEMG; FreeEMG, BTS Bioengineering, Italy) using Bot Fit’s resist mode. Measurements were also performed in all subjects without wearing a Bot Fit, and the data for the two conditions were compared. Results: The front (p < 0.01) and middle (p< 0.05) foot pressure significantly increased when wearing the Bot fit. Frontal-area foot pressure was significantly increased in elderly participants with knee arthritis and obesity (p < 0.05). The gastrocnemius activity in all subjects significantly decreased after wearing the Bot Fit (p 0.01). In elderly participants with knee ＜ arthritis, the muscle activity of the rectus femoris was significantly reduced (p < 0.05). Furthermore, in obese elderly participants, gastrocnemius muscle activity was significantly reduced (p < 0.05). Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that it is possible to induce correct stair-climbing posture using the bot-fit resistance model. This is expected to be an effective exercise for strengthening muscle endurance by increasing rectus femoris muscle activity.