39 children 4 to 8 yr. of age were filmed while ascending and descending ladders positioned at 90, 67, 40, 24, 14, and 0° from horizontal. Analysis indicated that the greatest range of motion, i.e., variability, took place at angles of 90, 67, and 40°, and at each angle the deviation was from dorsi- to plantar flexion. While results showed that at each angle more dorsiflexion was exhibited ascending than descending, minimal plantar flexion was noted so most movement occurred in the dorsiflexion range. The greatest deviation (and near maximal movement) was in dorsiflexion at the horizontal (0°) position. Implications for design of play apparatus were presented.
