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An experiment was conducted in a 20-level building to study the individual ascent speed on long stair. 165 college students, including 51 female students and 114 male students, took part in the experiment. Their ascent speeds and heart rates were recorded during they traveled upward. The experimental results show that their ascent speeds decrease continuously for the first 13-14 levels, then the ascent speeds keep at around 0.68 m/s for the males and 0.52 m/s for the females. Further study was conducted to explore the factors that might affect the ascent speeds on long stair. For the males, their ascent speeds show no obvious correlation with their body mass index and their scores of physical fitness test. For the females, it is observed that those who are overweight or fail in physical fitness test have the lowest ascent speed. After traveling upward around 18 levels, the average heart rates increase to 135 bpm and the average relative heart rates increase to 60% for the males, while the average heart rates increase to 150 bpm and the average relative heart rates increase to 70% for the females. Moreover, participates are more likely to use handrail for assistance as they move upward on higher levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]