Climbing stairs is a coordinated movement similar to walking. The movement cycle (stair climbing gait cycle) consists of the following. Beginning with the right leg, the knee is bent, and the foot is placed on the step. The center of mass of the body is moved forward, and weight is transferred to the right leg. The right knee is straightened, pulling up the body and lifting the left foot into the air. The left knee is bent, and the foot is moved forward and up, placing it on the tread of the next stair. The process is repeated, this time for the left leg, completing the cycle.
Muscles involved control movement of the hip, knee, and angle joints: gluteus maximus, semitendinosus, gluteus medius, vastus lateralis, rectus femoris, tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius, and the soleus.
