Stair Climb Test

The Stair Climb Test (SCT), also known as the Stair Climb Power Test, is a functional performance test used to evaluate strength, power, and overall lower limb capacity. It is commonly applied in patients with hip and knee osteoarthritis, but has also proven useful in other clinical populations¹.

This test is valued for its simplicity, minimal equipment needs, and strong relevance to daily activities. It provides objective outcome measures for screening, progression monitoring, and post-intervention evaluation. A key limitation is the lack of universal standardization, as step height and number of stairs vary, which affects validity and comparability¹.

Purpose and Rationale

The SCT was designed to reflect everyday physical challenges such as stair climbing, which requires both concentric and eccentric muscle strength, balance, and coordination. Unlike flat-ground walking tests, the SCT offers better insight into explosiveness and power generation, making it sensitive to changes following rehabilitation, surgery, or training.

Test Procedure

Equipment needed:

• A staircase with 3–12 steps (16–20 cm height each)

• Stopwatch or electronic timer

• Optional safety rail

Execution:

1. The patient stands at the base of the staircase.

2. At the command “Go”, the patient ascends as quickly but safely as possible, turns at the top, and descends.

3. Timing stops when both feet reach the floor again.

4. One practice attempt is allowed. Two trials are recorded; the mean is used as the final score.

5. Use of one handrail is permitted, though patients are encouraged to perform without if possible.

Interpretation of Results

• Shorter time = better functional capacity.

• Some studies have calculated power output in watts based on body mass, stair height, and climb time, but this is mainly applied in research.

• Normative values remain inconsistent due to variation in stair design and patient groups. Thus, the SCT is best applied as a within-subject comparison tool for tracking progress.

Clinical Value in Osteoarthritis

A systematic review in Osteoarthritis and Cartilage showed that the SCT demonstrates good psychometric properties for individuals with hip and knee osteoarthritis². It is considered reliable, valid, and responsive to change, and is therefore recommended as part of standardized test batteries assessing functional performance in this population.

Practical Considerations

To ensure safe and reproducible testing:

• Use stairs with uniform step height (16–20 cm)

• Ensure 3–12 steps

• Apply the same protocol, therapist, and instructions for repeated measures

• Secure the patient with a gait belt if balance is impaired

• Be prepared to discontinue testing if safety is compromised

Summary

The Stair Climb Test is a simple, reliable, and clinically relevant functional test that reflects everyday mobility challenges. It is particularly valuable in evaluating patients with hip and knee osteoarthritis, providing objective data on strength, power, and physical function. Standardization is essential for accurate comparisons, but when applied consistently, the SCT is a powerful tool in both clinical and research settings.

Kilder:

1. Dobson F, Hinman RS, Hall M, Terwee CB, Roos EM, Bennell KL. Measurement properties of performance-based measures to assess physical function in hip and knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage. 2012 Des;20(12):1548–1562.