Stepping (walking)

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Stepping is a process of locomotion — either forward or backward movement engaged in by bipedal (e.g., humans, chickens), quadrupedal (e.g., rats, deer) and multipedal (e.g., insects) organisms consisting of putting the left foot forward, following with the right foot, and repeating. Monopedal organisms often experience difficulty in stepping, and resort to an action known in the vernacular as "hopping."

In general, for bipedal organisms like humans, stepping is carried out as follows:

  1. Extend one foot forward (hereafter known as the primary foot). In the military, the left foot is often used to start off.
  2. Plant aforementioned primary foot down as you shift your weight forward. As you do so begin to lift the heel of your other foot (hereafter known as the secondary foot) up.
  3. Raise up your secondary foot from the ground and bring it forward, then extend it out and repeat.

There are of course other methods of stepping. Many people use their secondary foot's toes to push off the ground (this method of stepping is called jogging or, if there are periods of time when both feet are off the ground, running).

[edit] See also