Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 20, 2026

Clinical-oriented Three-dimensional Gait Analysis Method for Evaluating Gait Disorder
Published on: March 4, 2018
Influence of an oblique path of staircase descent on toe placement and foot clearance
Kaitlin M Gallagher1,2, Jack P Callaghan2
1a University of Arkansas , USA.
Abstract:
During their commute, pedestrians encounter a variety of staircase designs. One such design is the oblique staircase that allows pedestrians to descend at an angle. The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of an oblique path of descent on heel and toe clearance, and toe placement on a step. Sixteen participants descended a staircase on an angled path at three angles: 0° (perpendicular), 25°, and 45°. Toe placement and foot clearances were compared between the descent angles and feet. An increase in descent angle demonstrated increased clearance of the heel apex compared with straight descent; however, the aspect of the foot closest to the stair changes in angled descent, moving from the apex to the side of the heel. A greater portion of the foot was placed on the stair tread during angled descent. Future work should address the influence of angled descent on fall risk.
Related Concept Videos
Design Example: Traverse Angle Computations
Elevation of Intermediate Points on Vertical Curves
Adjusting a Traverse
Work Done Over an Inclined Plane
The work done by gravity to move a rigid body, or the work done by an opposing force to move a rigid body against gravity, can be calculated using the center-of-mass framework. It is the line integral of the force of gravity over the path, considered positive if...
Muscles of the Leg that Move the Foot and Toes
Anterior Compartment
The anterior compartment includes muscles that contribute to the dorsiflexion of the foot. This compartment houses the tibialis anterior, extensor hallucis longus, and extensor digitorum longus muscles....
Stress on an Oblique Plane

