Lower-limb dynamics in two approaches of stair descent initiation: walk and stand

The purpose of this study was to study the effects of different stair descent strategy on peak joint moment and peak joint power in healthy young adults. Fourteen healthy young subjects (8 males and 6 females) performed the stair descent. Walk approach included the component of level walking and stair walking. Stand approach included the component of only stair walking. A three-step stairway with a walkway was used for the motion trials. Significant difference was found in hip abductor moments, knee extensor moment and knee eccentric power between the two approaches. No significant difference was found for any variable between the genders. Stair descent initiation with walk approach requires larger hip and knee dynamics than stand approach in both the genders in order to achieve a safe stair descent.