Beurteilung der körperlichen Belastbarkeit mittels einfachem Treppensteigtest im Vergleich zur Spiroergometrie und zum 6-Minuten Gehtest

Uhl, Melina Kristina (2026): Beurteilung der körperlichen Belastbarkeit mittels einfachem Treppensteigtest im Vergleich zur Spiroergometrie und zum 6-Minuten Gehtest. Dissertation, LMU München: Faculty of Medicine

Abstract

Despite advancing medical care, increasing life expectancy worldwide leads to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, which continues to be the leading cause of death (>35%) worldwide, especially in people over 75 years of age. In addition to traditional risk factors such as hypertension and diabetes, cardiorespiratory fitness is now accepted as a key preventive factor that is often inadequately assessed in clinical trials despite its wide-ranging importance. This has led to increased efforts to develop and establish standardized exercise tests to objectively measure individual cardiorespiratory fitness and influence it at an early stage. The aim of this project was to develop a standardized fitness test using a stair climbing test (SCT) and to investigate its correlation with the 6-minute walk test and spiroergometry. The aim is to establish an alternative to spiroergometry that is as simple, cost-effective, quick and easy to perform as possible, which is easy to use and reproducible, and therefore especially applicable for low- and middle-income countries, medical facilities and outpatient departments; so far, previous applications of the SCT in various disease contexts have lacked standardization. Between February and July 2021, a subject collective of 60 participants aged 18-30 years stratified according to BMI <25 kg/m2 and >30 kg/m2 was examined at the LMU Munich. The practical implementation included a 6-minute walking test, a stair climbing test and spiroergometry, accompanied by a detailed medical history and physical examinations, including the collection of resting parameters and a basic cardiological examination. After the 6-minute walk test, the SCT was performed. The test subjects had to climb stairs in a stairwell at the LMU as a form of exercise and completed six rounds, whereby levels 1, 2 and 4 were first completed at normal walking speed and then at maximum speed. After each run, the baseline vital parameters and Borg scales were recorded. The final exercise test was spiroergometry. The statistical evaluation in the descriptive part was carried out using bivariate correlation analysis and associated graphical representations to determine mean values and associated standard deviations, followed by further regression analyses in the course of the study. For comparability of the test results, an SCT-Index6 was developed, which takes into account the distance covered, the time taken and the body weight of the subjects. Our data show a strong correlation between the 6MWT distance and the VO2max values of the spiroergometry (r = 0.689; p < 0.001), as well as with the time of the sixth, i.e. fastest and highest run of the SCT (r = -0.709; p < 0.001) (maximum load). The results show a strong correlation between the SCT-Index6 and the oxygen pulse (r = 0.698; p < 0.001), as well as the VO2 max values (r = 0.656; p < 0.001), which indicates that the SCT represents a near-maximal load on the cardiorespiratory system and could therefore be a cost-effective alternative to spiroergometry. With the corresponding equation formula: VO2 max (ml/min) = 1.36*103 + 1.05*102 * SCT-Index6, VO2 max (ml/min) can be mathematically calculated or approximated from the achieved SCT-Index6. The pilot study aimed to establish the SCT as a screening tool for cardiorespiratory fitness in routine diagnostics. The results show significant correlations between the SCT and established exercise tests such as the 6MWT and spiroergometry. Despite existing variations in the SCT format, the study indicates the possibility of standardization in order to use the SCT as a cost-effective alternative with high informative value for the CRF survey. The results support the idea of discussing the SCT as a screening tool and evaluating its role as a supplement or replacement for other tests. Further studies with larger numbers of participants and different patient groups are needed to confirm the validity of this formula. Overall, we recommend the standardized SCT as an efficient and cost-effective screening method in routine examinations that could replace spiroergometry as the gold standard in the long term. Future research could further clarify this potential role as an equivalent to spiroergometry, not only saving costs but also providing a simpler, more individualized alternative for patients.

• Item Type: Theses (Dissertation, LMU Munich)
• Keywords: Stair-Climbing-Test, Spiroergometrie, Kardiorespiratorische Fitness, Treppensteigtest
• Subjects: 600 Technology, Medicine; 600 Technology, Medicine > 610 Medical sciences and medicine
• Faculties: Faculty of Medicine
• Language: German
• Date of oral examination: 26. February 2026
• 1. Referee: Haas, Nikolaus
• Signature of the printed copy: 0700/UMD 22809