A TEAM of US scientists is working on research that could help put a spring in the step of seniors who feel the wear and tear when they walk up stairs.
Researchers Yun Seong Song, Karen Liu and Lena Ting, from the Missouri University of Science and Technology and Georgia Institute of Technology, have developed a prototype of a set of energy recycling stairs that use a latched spring system to store energy during stair descent and return it to the user during ascent.
Although the team needs to conduct further research, it believes the reduction in effort and work required to walk up and down stairs could lead to a reduction of metabolic energy and could ease the strain on muscles and joints.
They hope that, in time, energy-recycling stairs could be a more cost effective alternative to escalators and stairs.
"Elevators and stairlifts are often impractical to install at home," Dr Liu said.
"Low-cost, easily-installed assistive stairs could be a way to allow people to retain their ability to use stairs and not move out of their homes."
