Stairs. How do you go up and down stairs?

WhatInThe

Well-known Member
Some observations about going up and down stairs.

When you go up a set of stairs do you slide or place your foot on the step. When going down a set of stairs can you control any momentum that might build up or is that last step the same speed as the first step?

I notice a lot of people slide their foot on a step when going up, even a hard surface step like wood or concrete in a commercial setting. They must be used to carpeted steps at home. Note-sliding foot onto step could affect wear and tear.

And when people go down a set of stair many do let momentum take over and start galloping like horse especially near the bottom. Again galloping not good for wear & tear nor safe.

Sometimes how a person goes up and down a set of stairs could be an indicator of leg strength or lack there of. How a person goes down a set of stairs is not only an indicator of leg strength but also core strength because theoretically your body should be attempting to stay straight up while fighting downward momentum. After an injury going down steps was the hardest thing I could do, why because I lost strength around the knee and hip joints along with abdominal strength all help in keeping the body erect.

Same observations for sitting in a chair. Do you plop your self into the seat or do you control your descent with leg strength into a seated position.

So are you a momentum/gravity person or are you a strength/technique person?
 

Rule of thumb for stairs.. If you have a bad leg.. for what ever reason.. It's always UP with the good leg first.... and DOWN with the bad leg first. Up with the good/Down with the bad.
 

So far a strength/technique person, but that may change in future years with age or health issues. I place my foot on the step when going upstairs. Going down, nothing has changed but the speed, for safety reasons, I've slowed with age. When I was younger, I went down flights of stairs quickly, sometimes faster mid-flight then slowed down at bottom. When I sit, I control my descent with leg strength, but may plop in the distant future. :)

Walking and stair climbing are good weight bearing exercises, using your own body as the weight. I walk everyday, and sometimes either ride my own bike or use the exercise bikes at the gym. I'm trying to keep my bones strong in my old age.
 
We both hold on to the side rail, with one hand, as we go up or down stairs. We do believe in "some" exercise, but if there is a elevator available, we will definitely jump on that! Due to my hip replacement, I really watch how much "stair climbing/descending" I do.

As far as sitting goes, I just sit down in a chair. Don't give it any thought of how I'm doing it, I just simply sit in it. I do have a Special Back Support Cushion I sit on while at the desktop and my wife got me another one for my recliner.
 
I avoid them at all cost. But, when necessary, I step sideways when going down and step up first on the stronger leg going up the step one foot at a time unless it's a situation when vanity is at call, then I just grit my teeth and try to walk like I don't have a care in the world till I find the nearest seat.

What's funny is sitting right in front of me on my desk are my pages of exercises my PT gave me for my knees, back and shoulders. featuring words like, Piriformis stretch,Dorsiflexion with the usual knee extensions and hamstring for knees. :D I really need to take these more seriously and promise myself to do them before I sign on to the net at least every other day, some every day.
 
Wish I had a chair lift thingie to go up the stairs....then slide down the bannister.

no really, I don't have stairs in my house but I know they are a challenge to alot of seniors. Good post!
 
Currently I have a back problem waiting for surgery in 5 weeks , but I still take the stairs one at a time straight up and down walking briskly holding the bannister unless my back is spasming so painfully I have to crawl up them on my knees...and then it seems like attempting to conquer Everest,...*yikes* but generally I run upstairs and run down them..no losing momentum.. just generally fit. ( except for the back at the moment)
 
Currently I have a back problem waiting for surgery in 5 weeks , but I still take the stairs one at a time straight up and down walking briskly holding the bannister unless my back is spasming so painfully I have to crawl up them on my knees...and then it seems like attempting to conquer Everest,...*yikes* but generally I run upstairs and run down them..no losing momentum.. just generally fit. ( except for the back at the moment)

I certainly hope your surgery goes swimmingly. I suffered from a herniated disc for years and finally gave in and had surgery and have been pain free for the past twenty years.
 
I live on the third floor of a three story apartment and although there is an elevator I use the stairway most of the time just for the exercise and to keep my legs loose. I am careful and hold on to the right railing when going up or down.
 
I doubt that we could ever live in an upstairs apartment or house that was two stories, with a basement again. I mean, we can use stairs, but definitely not on a constant basis.
 
Both my wife and I have been fortunate enough to stay physically active. Neither of us have any issues with stairs-I usually go up at a jog without the handrail. Going down I walk, but normally don't use the rail.
 


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