stepping

Stepping is the action of placing one foot in front of the other to move or position the body. It is a fundamental element of locomotion and can refer to a single foot movement or to a sequence of movements in walking, dancing, or other activities.

In biomechanics, a step begins when one foot makes initial contact with the ground and ends when the opposite foot makes contact. A full cycle that includes two steps is called a stride. Gait is described by variables such as step length, cadence (steps per minute), and symmetry. In typical walking, the body goes through stance and swing phases, with step timing influenced by speed, terrain, and neuromuscular condition. In infants, the stepping reflex is a motor response where the legs produce stepping-like movements when held upright with the feet touching a surface; this reflex typically fades as voluntary control develops and reappears as gait emerges.

In dance and performance, stepping denotes rhythmic footwork that emphasizes timing and placement. It is prominent in step dance traditions, such as Irish stepping, and in various choreographies that use percussive foot patterns to create rhythm and sound.

Stepping also appears in other domains, such as engineering, where stepping motors produce precise angular movements in discrete increments, and in everyday language to describe a sequence of incremental actions toward a goal.