Feasibility and acceptability of stepping exercise for cardiovascular fitness in women

Fish, Anne F.; Christman, Sharon K.; Frid, David J.; Smith, Barbara A.; Bryant, Cedric X.

doi:10.1016/j.apnr.2008.03.006

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Volume 22, Issue 4 , Pages 274-279, November 2009

Feasibility and acceptability of stepping exercise for cardiovascular fitness in women

Anne F. Fish, PhD, RN
- College of Nursing, University of Missouri-St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63121, USA
- Corresponding author. Tel.: +1 314 516 7077, +1 314 531 2909 (home); fax: +1 314 516 7082.
Sharon K. Christman, RN, PhD
- Department of Nursing, Cedarville University Cedarville, OH 45314, USA
David J. Frid, MD
- The Ohio State University College of Medicine and Public Health and Director, Preventive and Rehabilitative Cardiology and Medical Director, Center for Wellness and Prevention, The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43016, USA
- Preventive and Rehabilitative Cardiology, The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43016, USA
- Center for Wellness and Prevention, The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43016, USA
Barbara A. Smith, PhD, RN, FACSM, FAAN
- School of Nursing, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
Cedric X. Bryant, PhD, FACSM
- American Council on Exercise, San Diego, CA 92123, USA

Received 13 June 2007; received in revised form 1 January 2008; accepted 22 March 2008. published online 16 January 2009.

Abstract

Nurses conducting clinical research often test the feasibility and acceptability of interventions before using them in large-scale experimental studies. This article specifically reviews stepping exercise as an intervention with women. In a literature review, three stepping modes (steptreadmill, bench/step, and stepper) were compared, with the steptreadmill being identified as the most advantageous for use in experimental research. An exemplar was constructed to illustrate feasibility and acceptability of steptreadmill exercise (motorized stair climbing) in 11 women with hypertension. Steptreadmill exercise is feasible and acceptable and shows promise for use in experimental studies where strict control over the exercise performed is required.