Many bats may fold their wings on the upstroke. This helps to reduce air resistance. It is during the downstroke that both thrust and lift are made. The large muscles give powerful wing strokes. This makes flight possible.
Bats move their wings by using the large muscles in their backs and chests.
Some of these muscles pull the wing up. Others bring them down. The wings act like webbed hands. The bat can move its wings like we move our fingers. Bats fold one of their wings to steer and brake.