Gait Flashcards
What is Gait?
The mechanism by which the body is transported using co-ordinated movements of the major lower limb joints
What systems require an energy efficient interaction between them to achieve a normal gait?
Musculoskeletal system
Neurological system
What is the gait cycle?
The period of time from initial contact to next initial contact on the same side of the body
What are the 2 phases of the gait cycle?
Stance phase
Swing phase
What is the stance phase?
Time foot is in contact with the ground and is weight bearing
What is the swing phase?
Time when the foot is not in contact with the ground
What is the approximate percentage of time spent in the stance phase and swing phase in normal gait?
Stance phase = 60%
Swing phase = 40%
What are the 5 important attributes needed for a normal gait?
Stability in stance
Foot clearance in swing
Pre positioning for initial contact
Adequate step length
Energy conservation
What is double support?
Time when both feet are in contact with the floor
What is double float?
Time when both feet are off the floor
At what point does walking become classified as running?
When double float starts
What happens to the period of double float when you run faster?
Double float increases
What are the 5 stages of the stance phase?
Initial contact (heel strike)
Loading response (shock of impact absorbed)
Mid stance (foot flat)
Terminal stance (Heel off)
Pre swing (Toe off)
What are the 3 stages of swing phase?
Initial swing
Mid swing
Terminal swing
What is a stride?
Distance travelled in one gait cycle
Distance from initial contact to initial contact with the same leg
(2 steps)
What is a step?
Half a stride
Distance from initial contact on one leg to initial contact o the other leg
What is cadence?
Number of steps per minute