Muscle activity during multi-step descent.

Background: Previous step studies have shown mechanical variances across steps in descent; however, muscle activity differences have not been examined across steps in a staircase. The purpose of this study was to quantify differences in muscle activity during step descent between step strategies (step-over-step and step-match) and across steps.

Methods: Twenty-five individuals descended a seven-step staircase at self-selected pace (rise: 15.