Influence of an oblique path of staircase descent on toe placement and foot clearance.

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.