Gait Flashcards
What are the phases of the gait cycle?
The gait cycle consists of the stance phase (60%) and the swing phase (40%).
Stance phase includes: Initial contact, Loading response, Mid stance, Terminal stance, and Pre swing. Swing phase includes: Initial swing, Mid swing, and Terminal swing.
What are the main functional tasks associated with gait?
Functional tasks include weight acceptance, shock absorption, single limb support, propulsion, limb shortening for foot clearance, and deceleration.
What are the basic angular joint displacements during the gait cycle?
Displacements occur at the pelvis, hip, knee, and ankle, with specific angles required for each phase of gait.
What are the differences in gait characteristics of children, mature, and older adults?
Gait characteristics vary significantly across age groups, affecting stability, speed, and coordination.
What is gait efficiency?
Gait efficiency refers to the energy expenditure required for walking or running, influenced by factors such as speed and biomechanics.
What are the phases of the stance phase in walking gait?
The stance phase includes: Initial Contact (0%-2%), Loading Response (2%-10%), Midstance (10%-30%), Terminal Stance (30%-50%), and Pre swing (50%-60%).
What are the phases of the swing phase in walking gait?
The swing phase includes: Initial Swing (60%-73%), Mid swing (73%-87%), and Terminal Swing (87%-100%).
What are the mean stride values in normal adults walking at customary speed?
Mean stride values: Velocity (m/min) - Males: 86, Females: 77, Total: 82; Stride length (m) - Males: 1.46, Females: 1.28, Total: 1.41; Cadence (steps/min) - Males: 111, Females: 117, Total: 113.
What muscles are involved in walking gait at the hip?
Key muscles include Gluteus Maximus and Biceps Femoris for hip extension, and TFL for stabilizing the iliotibial band against Gluteus Maximus contraction during initial contact.
Biceps fem: Concentric contraction
to extend hip during stance.
Eccentric contraction during
terminal swing to slow down
or stop the limb from swinging
continuously.
What is the role of the knee muscles during walking gait?
Vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, and rectus femoris control knee flexion during initial stance for shock absorption.
Eccentric contraction
What is the role of the ankle muscles during walking gait?
Gastrocnemius & Soleus –
concentric action peaking at terminal stance (ankle plantarflexion) – foot in a rigid state (windass effect).
Fibularis longus & brevis – stabilise
the foot (transverse arch) during ankle plantarflexion.
Tibialis posterior – eccentric
contraction to control amount of foot pronation during loading response.
What is the role of trunk muscles during walking gait?
Erector spinae undergoes isometric contraction during loading response and terminal stance, while Rectus abdominis contracts isometrically during mid stance.
What are the kinematic changes at the pelvis during walking gait?
The pelvis provides stability and mobility through anterior/posterior tilts to ensure weight transmission.
What are the kinematic changes at the knee during walking gait?
The knee flexes during loading response for shock absorption and extends to full by midstance.
What are the kinematic changes at the ankle during walking gait?
The ankle is neutral at initial contact, plantarflexes during loading response, and dorsiflexes into midstance.
What is the pattern of pelvis and femur rotation during walking gait?
Both pelvis and femur rotate in the same direction simultaneously throughout the gait cycle.
What is the significance of peak vertical ground reaction force during gait?
Peak vertical ground reaction force occurs during both the loading response and terminal stance phases.
What muscle undergoes significant isometric contraction during loading response and terminal stance in an erect trunk?
Erector spinae
Neumann, D. A. (2017). Kinesiology of the musculoskeletal system foundations for rehabilitation. (3rd ed.). St Louis: Elsevier.
Which muscle exhibits isometric contraction during mid stance?
Rectus abdominis
Neumann, D. A. (2017). Kinesiology of the musculoskeletal system foundations for rehabilitation. (3rd ed.). St Louis: Elsevier.
What are the characteristics of immature walking?
High cadence, wide base of support, hip/knee externally rotated, outswinging arms. Mature gait is achieved by 3 to 7 years old.
Neumann, D. A. (2017). Kinesiology of the musculoskeletal system foundations for rehabilitation. (3rd ed.). St Louis: Elsevier.
What are the common gait changes in older adults?
Lack of hip extension, knee extension, trunk extension (hunched), and ankle dorsiflexion, leading to reduced stride length and cadence.
Neumann, D. A. (2017). Kinesiology of the musculoskeletal system foundations for rehabilitation. (3rd ed.). St Louis: Elsevier.
What are the determinants of gait efficiency?
Pelvis stability in the frontal plane, small transverse plane motions at joints, and knee flexion of 15 to 20° in the sagittal plane.
Houglum, Bertoti, D., & Brunnstrom, S. (2012). Brunnstrom’s clinical kinesiology (6th ed.). F.A. Davis.
What challenges to gait efficiency are presented by neurological conditions like cerebral palsy?
Increased hip adduction, hip/knee flexion, exaggerated knee flexion during stance, and minimal heel contact.
Leo L (2016), Son, 16, walks thanks to the gait trainer. Source: https://www.tnp.sg/news/singapore/son-16-walks-thanks-gait-trainer. Accessed on 3 Mar 2019.
What are the characteristics of gait in individuals with Parkinson’s disease?
Muscle rigidity, resting tremor, bradykinesia, shuffling gait, shorter stride length, and reduced arm movement.
The Straits Times (2017), Standing up for Parkinson patients. Source: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/standing-up-for-parkinson-patients. Accessed on 3 Mar 2019.
What are the kinematic differences in running compared to walking?
In running, the knee does not fully extend in mid/terminal stance, and ankle dorsiflexion peaks at midstance.
Neumann, D. A. (2017). Kinesiology of the musculoskeletal system foundations for rehabilitation. (3rd ed.). St Louis: Elsevier.
How does muscle activity differ during running compared to walking?
Erector spinae and rectus abdominis contract isometrically to maintain trunk position, while gluteus maximus and medius contract concentrically during midstance.
Neumann, D. A. (2017). Kinesiology of the musculoskeletal system foundations for rehabilitation. (3rd ed.). St Louis: Elsevier.
What is the impact force range during walking and running?
Walking impact forces range from 1.3 to 1.5 times body weight, while peak impact forces during running may increase to 2 to 3 times body weight.
Neumann, D. A. (2017). Kinesiology of the musculoskeletal system foundations for rehabilitation. (3rd ed.). St Louis: Elsevier.
What is the effect of increasing forward lean of the trunk during running?
It reduces braking force and vertical ground reaction force (GRF), propelling the body forward faster in a more energy-efficient manner.
Neumann, D. A. (2017). Kinesiology of the musculoskeletal system foundations for rehabilitation. (3rd ed.). St Louis: Elsevier. p. 717
What is gait analysis?
A special movement analysis that underpins physiotherapy interventions to improve independent and safe ambulation.
What factors can influence gait?
Lifespan changes and pathological conditions.
How do walking and running differ?
They require an understanding of different functions and task demands.
What are the main takeaways regarding gait?
- Gait terminology – cycle, phases, periods etc.
- Spatial and temporal variables to describe gait.
- Functional requirements of gait.
- Kinematics of walking gait.
- Muscles involved in walking gait.
- Developmental aspects of gait.
- Pathological aspects of gait.
- Determinants of gait efficiency.
- Walking vs Running.
