Activities of the Lower Limb

Question 1

What is the first phase in preparing to stand

Answer 1

Trunk is moved forwards (by the trunk flexors) and feet are moved backwards (by the hamstrings) so that centre of gravity of upper body is brought as far forwards as possible

Knees are therefore flexed, and ankles are dorsiflexed whilst maintaining full contact with the ground

Question 2

What is the second phase in preparing to stand

Answer 2

Trunk is flexed by the abdominal muscles to transfer the body weight to the feet and intrinsic foot muscles contract here to maintain arches

Question 3

What happens when moving from sitting to standing, as the weight is transferred to the feet

Answer 3

Hip is extended by hamstrings and gluteus maximus
Knee is extended by quadriceps
Ankle is plantarflexed to just short of a right angle, mainly by soleus

Question 4

What makes up 1 gait phase

Answer 4

From heel strike to heel strike

Question 5

When going from standing to sitting muscle action is mostly

Answer 5

Eccentric (acting against gravity)

Question 6

What are the phases of climbing stairs

Answer 6

Toe-off phase
Carry- through phase
Foot down and step-up phase

Question 7

When does the toe-off phase of stair climbing begin

Answer 7

When the supporting limb is already on the higher step and the moving one on the lower stair

Question 8

What happens during the toe-off phase of step climbing

Answer 8

Foot pushes off with strong plantarflexion of the ankle, passively extending the toes causing them to be flexed to produce the final thrust
Knee and hip are maintained in an extended position while trunk flexes to bring body weight forward

Question 9

Discuss things that happen during the carry-through phase of step climbing

Answer 9

Toes- extended
Ankle- dorsiflexed
Knee- flexed
Hip- flexed 
(all concentric)

Question 10

What happens during the foot down and step-up phase of step climbing

Answer 10

Foot is lowered to the step by hip flexors (eccentric) and weight is transferred onto it, centre of gravity moved to this supporting foot

Intrinsic muscles of the foot contract to stabilise, ankle dorsiflexes, knee extended and hip extended (all concentric)

Question 11

What are the basic phases of an overhead squat

Answer 11

Knee bend phase

Rising phase

Question 12

Describe the start position for an overhead squat

Answer 12

Ankles slightly dorsiflexed
Quads relaxed
Knees neutral or slightly flexed
Small contraction of glut max and hamstrings keep hip in neutral position

Question 13

What happens in the knee bend phase of an overhead squat

Answer 13

Hips flex eccentricallly by gluts and hamstrings
Knee flex eccentically by quads (after being unlocked by popliteus)
Ankles increasingly dorsiflexed eccentrically by ant compartment muscles

Question 14

What occures during the rising phase of an overhead squat

Answer 14

Hip extends concentrically by glutes and hamstrings
Knee extended concentrically by quads
Ankle plantarflexed concentrically by post compartment muscles