Gait adaptations to different paths of stair descent

Abstract

Gait characteristics during stair descent have been characterized for a straight descent path; however, pedestrians are likely to encounter a variety of staircase designs that allow one to descend at an angle (i.e. an oblique or monumental staircase). The purpose of this study was to determine the temporospatial lower limb joint kinematics differences between descending a staircase on straight versus oblique descent paths. Sixteen subjects (8 males, 8 females) descended a staircase under three different conditions: straight descent and at a 25° and 45° angle compare to the straight path. Cycle time, cadence, speed, step width, and step length were significantly affected by descent angle, while the proportion of the cycle dedicated to the stance and swing phases remained constant over the descent paths. Peak knee flexion angle increased by approximately 2.5° in the 45° condition compared to the 0° condition (p=0.0044); however, the remainder of the time series was unchanged. A decreased step width and increased step length occurred to allow the foot to sufficiently clear the steps. Changes in the temporospatial variables, hip joint angle and a constant stance/swing proportion demonstrates that these adaptations may be made to maintain characteristics of the gait cycle and prevent subjects from adopting an unfamiliar gait pattern.