Biomechanics of Gait and Posture Flashcards
Biomechanics
What is Human Gait?
Gait and Posture
The translatory progression of the human body as a whole, produced by coordinated, rotatory movements of the body segments.
Biomechanics
How does reactive postural control differ from anticipatory postural control?
Gait and Posture
Anticipatory postural control identifies a patterned stimulus to change posture and premptively contact muscles to eliminate or diminish unwanted movement.
Reactive postural control responds to unanticipated proprioceptive input (movement) caused by an external force.
Biomechanics
Why is a person likely to resprain an ankle after the initial injury?
Gait and Posture
Due to injury to mechanoreceptors, propioceptive data going to the brain is absent or delayed. Under normal conditions, these signals would reflexively contract muscles to protect the ankle.
Biomechanics
Describe the postural Ankle Strategy.
Gait and Posture
During small perturbations, the trunk stays in neutral and the following muscles contract:
Posterior displacement: TA, quadriceps, abdominals
Anterior displacement: gastroc, hamstrings, paraspinals
Biomechanics
Describe the postural Hip Strategy.
Gait and Posture
During larger perturbations, the hips shift opposite the direction of the potential fall and the following muscles contract:
Posterior displacement: abdominals, quadriceps, TA
Anterior displacement: paraspinals, hamstrings, gastroc.
Biomechanics
Discuss consequences of the following major postural deviation:
Flexed Knee Posture
Gait and Posture
- External flexion moment at knee and hip
- Increased quad force required leading to joint compression and increased soleus activity
- Requires more energy
Biomechanics
Discuss consequences of the following major postural deviation:
Genu Recurvatum
Gait and Posture
- External extensor moment
- Lengthening of cruciate and posterior ligaments of knee
- Anterior knee compression
Biomechanics
Discuss consequences of the following major postural deviation:
Anterior Pelvic Tilt
Gait and Posture
- Increased lumbar lordosis
- Icreased external extension moment
- Degeneration at facets and narrowing of foramen
Biomechanics
Discuss consequences of the following major postural deviation:
Forward Head Posture and Excessive Thoracic Kyphosis
Gait and Posture
- Increased lower cervical lordosis
- Increased upper cervical extension
- Degeneration at facets and narrowing of foramen
- Decreased subacromial space
Biomechanics
What is a Gait Cycle?
Gait and Posture
The interval of two consecutive initial contacts of the same foot.
Biomechanics
What is Stride Length?
Gait and Posture
The distance covered by one gait cycle
(144cm or 56in)
Biomechanics
What is Stride Duration?
Gait and Posture
Amount of time spent to complete one gait cycle.
(1.07s)
Biomechanics
What is Step Length?
Gait and Posture
Linear distance between two successive stepping point of opposite extremities.
(72cm or 28in)
Biomechanics
What is Step Width?
Gait and Posture
The measure of linear distance between paralel lines intersecting the mid-points of the heel on each foot
(8-10cm or 3.5in)
Biomechanics
What is Cadence?
Gait and Posture
Cadence is the number of steps per minute.
(108-118 steps/min)
Biomechanics
What is the Degree of Toe-out?
Gait and Posture
It is the angle of foot placement at loading respnse
(7°)
Biomechanics
What is toe clearance?
Gait and Posture
The distance between hallux and floor in swing phase.
(1.28-1.9 cm)