Gait Flashcards
What is gait?
The mechanism by which the body is transported using coordinated movements of the major lower limb joints.
Energy efficient interactions of MSK and neurological symptoms.
What are the 5 attributes of normal gait?
- Stability in Stance
- Foot Clearance in Swing
- Pre-positioning for initial Contact
- Adequate Step Length
- Energy Conservation
Gait cycle?
This describes the period of time from the initial contact (often the heel) to the next initial contact on the same side.
What is the stance phase?
This is when the foot is on the floor and baring weight - 60% of the time.
- Initial contact (heel strike)
- Loading response
- Mid-stance (foot flat)
- Terminal stance (heel off)
- Pre-swing (tow off)
What is the swing phase?
This is when the foot in air and positioning - 40% of time.
- Initial swing
- Mid-swing
- Terminal swing
What happens to the lengths of the phases when you walk quicker?
Swing phase becomes longer and stance phase shorter.
Running is when swing phase becomes longer than stance phase - Get a float phase instead of a double support.
Define stride
Distance travelled in one gait cycle.
It is the distace from right initial contact to right inital contact,
Define step
Difference in one foot to the other (two steps per stride).
It is the distance from Right Initial Contact to Left Initial Contact.
Define Cadence
Number of steps per minute
What is kinematics?
Describes motion:
- Joint angles
- DIsplacements
- Velocities
- Accelerations
What is kinetics?
Describes the things that cause motion
- Forces
- Moments.
Kinetics
Muscles produce force to:
- Provide stability
- Propel body segments
Muscles work:
- Concentric (shortening) -acceleration / power generation
- Eccentric (lengthening - deceleration / power absorption
- Isometric (same length) - stability
What muscles help put foot down?
Anterior compartment muscles - Mostly Tibialis anterior
What muscles help you push off an go onto other leg?
Posterior compartment muscles - Gastrocnemius and Soleus
How is walking energy efficient?
- Minimise excursion of centre of of gravity
- Control momentum
- Transfer energy between body segments
- Phasic muscle action
