Gait Flashcards
What are the two main phases of the gait cycle?
Stance and Swing
The gait cycle is defined by the temporal event of one leg to the next same temporal event of the same leg.
What percentage of the gait cycle does the swing phase comprise?
Approximately 40%
The swing phase is defined as the moment when the foot is not in contact with the ground.
What is the purpose of the swing phase?
Foot clearance and limb advancement
The swing phase allows the advancing limb to move forward while the foot clears the ground.
What marks the start and end of the swing phase?
The moment that the toes leave the ground until the heel touches the ground.
List the three main stages of the swing phase.
- Acceleration (initial swing)
- Mid swing
- Deceleration (terminal swing)
What starts the acceleration stage of the swing phase?
Toes leave contact with the ground
This phase ends at mid swing when the advancing limb is midway forward.
What is the main characteristic of the deceleration stage?
Deceleration of forward momentum of the advancing limb to correctly place it on the ground.
What is the main characteristic of the initial swing?
Acceleration of the moving leg, foot clears the ground.
What is the main characteristic of mid swing?
Continuous knee and hip flexion to clear the foot
The swing limb passes the stance limb during this phase.
What starts the deceleration stage of the swing phase?
Swing limb is in front of the stance limb
This phase ends when the heel touches the ground.
What percentage of the gait cycle does the stance phase comprise?
Approximately 60%
The stance phase corresponds to the moment when the foot is in contact with the ground.
What is the purpose of the stance phase?
Stability, balance, forward propulsion
The stance phase is critical for maintaining body support while moving.
What defines the start and end of the stance phase?
The moment that the heel touches the ground until the toes leave the ground.
List the five main stages of the stance phase.
- Heel strike (initial contact)
- Foot flat (loading response)
- Mid stance
- Heel off (terminal stance)
- Toes off (pre swing)
What starts the heel strike phase of the stance stage?
When the heel touches the ground
This phase ends before the foot is flat on the ground.
What is the main characteristic of the heel strike stage?
Foot is correctly placed (heel first) for shock absorption.
What is the main characteristic of the foot flat stage?
Shock is absorbed as forward momentum is preserved
This phase starts right before the foot becomes flat.
What defines the start and end of the foot flat stage/loading response?
Starts right before the foot is flat, ending when COG starts the move forward to the ankle joint.
What begins the mid stance stage?
Foot flat on the ground while COG moves anteriorly
This phase ends when the heel starts to come off the ground.
What is the main characteristic of the mid stance stage?
COG moves anteriorly and is higher with smaller BOS.
Greatest point of instability.
What starts the heel off stage/terminal stance?
Heel lifts off
This phase ends as the toes start to lift off.
What is the main characteristic of the heel off stage?
COG is anterior to the stance foot.
What is the main characteristic of the toes off stage/pre swing?
Forefoot remains on the ground while knee flexion is required
This assists with foot clearance during the swing.
What defines the start and end of the toes off stage/pre swing?
Starts with toes coming off the ground and ends with the initial swing (foot off the ground).
What are the temporal parameters of gait?
- Stride length: distance between heel contact of one foot to the same foot again.
- Step length: distance between heel contact of one foot to the other foot.
- Cadence: steps per min.
Define stride length.
The distance between heel contact from one foot to heel contact of the same foot
It measures the length of one complete gait cycle.
What is cadence in the context of gait?
Number of steps taken per unit of time
Usually measured in steps per minute, also called walking rhythm.
What is ground reaction force?
The force that starts with heel strike and increases during stance phase
It helps to propel the body forward during heel and toe off stages.
What serves to absorb shcok during the heel strike stage?
Knee flexion
What are the requirements for human gait?
- Progression
- Postural control
- Adaptation
What does progression in gait refer to?
Ability to initiate and stop movement
It involves coordinating muscles and joints in a rhythmic pattern.
What is the impact of pathological gait on energy expenditure?
Increases energy expenditure
The use of walking aids also increases energy expenditure.
True or False: Normal walking requires high energy expenditure.
False
Normal walking requires little energy expenditure.
What are the main phases of the gait cycle according to the summary?
- Swing phase: Acceleration, Mid swing, Deceleration
- Stance phase: Heel strike, Foot flat, Mid stance, Heel off, Toes off
What are the two main phases of the gait cycle?
Stance and Swing
The gait cycle is defined by the temporal event of one leg to the next same temporal event of the same leg.
What is the purpose of the swing phase?
Foot clearance and limb advancement
The swing phase allows the advancing limb to move forward while the foot clears the ground.
What is the purpose of the stance phase?
Stability, balance, forward propulsion
The stance phase is critical for maintaining body support while moving.
What are the variations of gait discussed?
- Running
- Walking backwards
- Stair climbing
These variations highlight different movement patterns and muscle activation.
How does running differ from walking?
Running does not have a double-stance phase and includes an air-phase where there is no foot contact with the ground.
This distinction highlights the dynamic nature of running compared to walking.
What is the ground reaction force during running?
Ground reaction forces are up to 3 times the body weight.
This increased force is due to the impact of running.
What type of foot strike occurs in running?
Forefoot strike replaces heel strike.
This change in foot strike alters the mechanics of running.
What changes occur in walking backwards compared to normal walking?
- Decreased step length
- Heel strike is replaced by toe strike
- Increased hip extension and gluteus activation
These modifications affect balance and muscle use.
What phases are involved in stair climbing?
- Stance phase
- Swing phase
- Double support phase
These phases indicate the complexity of the movement.
Why is stair climbing more demanding than walking?
- Increased joint movement
- Greater muscular demands
- Vertical translation of the center of gravity (COG)
- Balance requirements
These factors contribute to the higher energy expenditure in stair climbing.
What is the first step in the stance phase of stair climbing going up?
Starts when forefoot touches the step above.
This marks the initiation of the movement upward.
What muscle groups are activated during weight acceptance in stair climbing going up?
During the stance phase
- Hip extensors
- Knee extensors
These muscles work concentrically to elevate the body.
What is the force relationship between the patella and femur during stair climbing going up?
Forces between the patella and femur are 3 times body weight.
This highlights the significant load experienced by the knee joint.
What role do hip abductors play during stair climbing?
Hip abductors control the pelvis.
This is critical for maintaining balance and proper movement.
How does COG move while going up staris during the stance phase?
COG moves forward in front of the stance foot.
What type of contraction occurs in the ankle at the end of stance phase while going up stairs?
Plantarflexion to accelerate the body forward and up.
What occurs during the swing phase of stair climbing going up?
- Concentric muscle activation of flexors of hip, knee, and ankle
- Tibialis anterior maintains dorsiflexion
- Eccentric work of tibialis anterior lowers the foot
These actions prepare the limb for the next step.
What happens during the stance phase of stair climbing going down?
- Initial contact with the anterior part of the foot
- Eccentric contraction of gastrocnemius
- Concentric contraction of knee and hip extensors
- Eccentric contraction of quadriceps to control knee flexion
These contractions are essential for controlled descent.
What are the requirements for stair climbing?
- Hip abductors must control pelvic drop
- Sufficient hip and knee flexion (0-100 degrees) to clear the step
- Adequate muscle strength, especially when going up
- Balance to maintain stability while COG is moving
Meeting these requirements is crucial for effective stair climbing.
True or False: Running includes a double support phase.
False
This is a key distinction between running and walking.
What conclusion can be drawn about the variations of human gait?
Running, walking backwards, and stair climbing have specific patterns of joint ROM and muscle activation, with stair climbing requiring greater muscle activation and balance compared to normal walking.
Understanding these differences is important for analyzing movement and designing rehabilitation programs.
