Ascending Stairs Flashcards
Describe the starting posture
Initially standing– base of support is within 2 feet
Centre of gravity infront of S2 -within the base of support
Relatively stable position
Hips knees and ankles are all in neutral
Very little effort is required to maintian
Describe the movement of the joint from initial lift to first contact with step
To begin, right foot lifted off the floor – there is flexion at hip and knee on right side, with forwards rotation of the pelvis.
Initially, ankle becomes plantarflexed, due to gravity. However actively moved into dorsiflexion to help clear the step.
Hip and knee continue into flexion to raise leg up over the step. There is then slight extension to lower the foot into contact with the step.
Describe the movement of the joints from contact with step to extension
Once in contact with the step, there is extension of the right knee and hip, which causes weight to transfer onto the right. There is initial dorsiflexion of the ankle during weight transfer but this quickly returns to neutral. Continued extension of the right hip and knee as the left lower limb rises off the floor.
Left hip and knee remain extended initially, then slight flexion of the hip, knee and ankle to allow the foot to clear the step.
The pelvis rotates backwards to cause both feet to rest on the step.
Muscle contraction from standing to first contact with step
As the right foot lifts off the floor, there is concentric contraction of the left hip abductors with ROI to keep the pelvis level.
This is followed by hip flexion – due to concentric illeopsoas.
Knee flexion is initially passive – caused by the flexion of the hip. Then there is concentric contraction of hamstrings to ensure foot clears the step.
The initial plantarflexion seen in the foot is due to gravity. Tibialis anterior then contracts concentrically to ensure that the foot enters dorsiflexion and clears the step.
Muscle contraction from contact with step to end position
As the right limb lowers towards the step, there is eccentric contraction of hamstrings and tibialis anterior.
There is then concentric contraction of quadriceps with ROI to extend the knee,
followed by conenctric contraction of glut max to extend the hip.
Meanwhile, dorsiflexors stablise the foot and ankle by contracting isometrically.
The extension in the right limb causes the left lower limb to passively rise towards the step.
This is assisted by the plantar flexors on the left contracting concentrically to push the body up and forwards.
Ease of movement
Due to the low BoS seen when stepping up, this action requires balance from the individual. The most effort can be seen when the leading limb is moving to extension, as gravity must be overcome to allow the body to move vertically in space.
