Effect of uphill, level, and downhill walking on cardiovascular parameters among young adults

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Uphill walking and downhill walking are the different forms of walking which causes cardiovascular changes in the body. By changing the gradient of the treadmill, we can change the severity of exercise by keeping the speed constant. AIM: This study aims to evaluate the cardiovascular changes during uphill, level, and downhill walking in young adults. STUDY DESIGN: This was an experimental study MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty participants (15 males and 5 females) having normal body mass index were made to walk on the treadmill at different gradients of −15%, 0%, and +15% at a preferential speed for a constant duration of 15 min. The heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and rate pressure product (RPP) were recorded before and after walking. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Statistical analysis was done by ANOVA test using SPPSS, version 20 (IBM, Bangaluru, Karnataka ,India), where P RESULTS: There was a significant increase in HR (105.8 ± 20.06), SBP (133.3 ± 13.54), and RPP (14146 ± 3025) during uphill walking as compared to downhill and level walking. There were no significant changes in cardiovascular parameters when level walking and downhill walking were compared. DBP did not show any significant changes at any gradient of walking. CONCLUSION: Cardiovascular response increases during uphill walking, but level walking and downhill walking show no difference in cardiovascular response. These findings can be used to prescribe the exercises for young adults.