Gait

Question 1

What is gait

Answer 1

> Manner/style of walking/running

Question 2

Gait control

Answer 2

> Both conscious and automatic (higher and lower brain centres)
varies according to gender/age/body geometry/pathology

Question 3

Gait cycle

Answer 3

> First ground contact of one foot to same foot making contact again

• Weight acceptance
• Single limb support
• limb advancement

Question 4

Phases of gait cycle

Answer 4

Stance phase (60%)
> Initial contact
> loading response
> mid stance
> terminal stance
> pre swing 

Swing phase
> initial swing
> mid swing
> terminal swing

Question 5

Initial contact

Answer 5

> heel strike
double stance

Muscle activity
> hip = flexed (extension is initiated by ground reaction force)
> knee = extended
> ankle = plantigrade/slight dorsiflexion

Question 6

Loading response

Answer 6

> foot flat
end of double stance

Muscle activity
> hip = concentrically extended
> knee = slight flex to absorb force (ecc. quads)
> ankle = eccentrically plantarflexed (+ eversion as weight transfers to lateral border)

Question 7

Mid stance

Answer 7

> foot flat (CoM to toes from heel)
single limb support

Muscle activity
> hip = extended by momentum
> knee = restored to slight flex
> ankle = dorsiflexed by momentum

Question 8

Terminal stance

Answer 8

> Heel raise
single stance
Body = propelled forwards

Muscle activity
> hip extension by gravity
> passive heel rise

Question 9

Pre swing

Answer 9

> Double stance
up to toe off (CoM to other leg)

Muscle activity
> hip starts to flex
> knee continues flexing
> ankle plantarflexes to push off

Question 10

Initial swing

Answer 10

> Foot = lifted

Muscle activity

• hip flexion
• knee flexion
• ankle dorsiflexion to clear toes from ground

Question 11

Mid swing

Answer 11

> tibia = vertical

Muscle activity

• hip continues flexing
• knee flexion is reduced by gravity
• ankle eccentric plantar flexion to neutral

Question 12

Terminal swing

Answer 12

> deceleration
up until foot contact

Muscle activity

• hip flexion via momentum (eccentric control slows it)
• knee extension via momentum - eccentrically controlled
• ankle dorsiflexion for heel strike

Question 13

Abnormal gait patterns

Answer 13

> Ataxic - unco-ordinated
> antalgic - limp on painful side 
> apraxic - out of sequence
> trendelenburg - hip drop 
> hemiplegic - weak on one side
> parkinsons - slow shuffle (difficulty starting/stopping)
> high step - foot drop