Gait Anatomy

Question 1

What are the 3 key phases of an individuals gait in the correct order?

1 - heel strike, mid stance, toe off
2 - heel strike, toe off, mid stance
3 -mid stance, toe off, heel strike
4 - toe off, heel strike, mid stance

Answer 1

1 - heel strike, mid stance, toe off

Question 2

What is required for an evaluation of complete gait cycle?

1 - biomechanical equipment
2 - recording of the patient
3 - foot strike from the same foot following alternative foot strike

Answer 2

3 - foot strike from the same foot following alternative foot strike

Question 3

When we look at the phases of gait, there are 3 measures that we can also take, what are they?

1 - cadence, step, time
2 - cadence, time, stride
3 - cadence, step, stride
4 - time, step, stride

Answer 3

3 - cadence, step, stride

Question 4

When we look at the phases of gait, there are 3 measures that we can also take. One of these is cadence, what is the definition of cadence?

1 - steps/minute
2 - distance per stride
3 - distance per step
4 - step number

Answer 4

1 - steps/minute

- normal = 115/minute

Question 5

When we look at the phases of gait, there are 3 measures that we can also take. One of these is stride, what is the definition of stride?

1 - steps/minute
2 - distance per stride
3 - distance per step
4 - step number

Answer 5

2 - distance per stride

- stride is consecutive initial contacts of the same foot with the ground

Question 6

When we look at the phases of gait, there are 3 measures that we can also take. One of these is cadence, what is the definition of step?

1 - steps/minute
2 - distance per stride
3 - distance per step of alternating legs
4 - step number

Answer 6

3 - distance per step of alternating legs

Question 7

When we talk about our gait cycle, aprox 60% can be described as the stance phase. What is the stance phase?

1 - foot is in the air
2 - foot is in contact with the floor

Answer 7

2 - foot is in contact with the floor

• when the foot is in contact with the floor
• when we are weight bearing

Question 8

When we talk about our gait cycle, aprox 60% can be described as the stance phase, which is when the foot is in contact with the floor and we are weight bearing. The stance phase can be further subdivided into 3 stages, what are they?

1 - support, heel off and toe-off phases
2 - strike, toe-off phases and heel strike
3 - strike, support, and toe-off phases
4 - strike, support, and heel-off phases

Answer 8

3 - strike, support, and toe-off phases

Question 9

When we talk about our gait cycle, aprox 40% can be described as the swing phase, what is the swing phase?

1 - foot is in the air
2 - foot is in contact with the floor

Answer 9

• when the foot leaves the ground and then the same foot touches the ground again

Question 10

When we talk about out gait cycle, aprox 40% can be described as the swing phase, which is when the foot leaves the ground and then the same foot touches the ground again. This can be further sub-dived into 2 phases, what are they?

1 - heel strike and swing phase
2 - leg lift and swing phases
3 - leg lift and heel strike
4 - heel strike and mid stance

Answer 10

2 - leg lift and swing phases

Question 11

What is the difference between the single and double support phase when we look at gait cycle?

Answer 11

• single = one foot in contact with the ground giving support
• double = both feet in contact with the ground giving support

Question 12

During the initial contact of heel strike there are 3 key groups of muscles that are involved. Which muscle group acts on the hip to slow down the forward motion of the lower limb?

1 - psoas major
2 -gluteal maximus
3 - semitendinosus
4 - iliacus

Answer 12

2 -gluteal maximus

Question 13

During initial contact of heel strike there are 3 key groups of muscles that are involved. What key muscle of the quadriceps keeps the leg extended at the knee and the thigh flexed at the hip?

1 - vastus lateralis
2 - vastus medialis
3 - rectus femoris
4 - biceps femoris

Answer 13

3 - rectus femoris

- as its origin is on the anterior inferior iliac spine

Question 14

During initial contact of heel strike there are 3 key groups of muscles that are involved. What 3 muscles of the anterior compartment of the leg help maintains ankle dorsiflexion, positioning the heel for the strike:

1 - T.anterior, E.hallucis longus + E.digitorum longus
2 - T.anterior, E.pollicis longus + vastus lateralis
3 - T.anterior, E.hallucis longus + soleus
4 - plantar, E.pollicis longus + E.digitorum longus

Answer 14

1 - T.anterior, E.hallucis longus + E.digitorum longus

- ANKLE DORSIFLEXORS

Question 15

During the stance phase where there is a loading response, where there is the initial double stance phase (2 feet in contact with the floor). What muscles in the thigh are involved in stabilising the knee with leg flexion?

Answer 15

• quadriceps
• vastus medialis, intermedius lateralis and rectus femoris
• LEG FLEXORS

Question 16

During the stance phase where there is a loading response, where there is the initial double stance phase (2 feet in contact with the floor). Which muscle of the anterior compartment of the leg contracts eccentrically to control plantarflexion?

1 - flexor digitorum longus
2 - extensor hallucis
3 - tibialis anterior
4 - soleus

Answer 16

3 - tibialis anterior

Question 17

During the mid stance of the gait cycle, which is where there will be single leg support (as we can see below), what muscle in the thigh region contracts eccentrically?

1 - sartorius
2 - gluteus medius
3 - pectineus muscle
4 - gluteus maximus

Answer 17

2 - gluteus medius

Question 18

During the mid stance of the gait cycle, which is where there will be single leg support (as we can see below), what muscle in the leg contract eccentrically?

1 - gastrocnemius and extensor digitorum longus
2 - tibialis anterior and soleus
3 - gastrocnemius and plantar
4 - gastrocnemius and soleus

Answer 18

4 - gastrocnemius and soleus

- CALF MUSCLES

Question 19

During the terminal stance phase of the gait cycle (just prior to the pre-swing phase, as we can see below), what muscle in the leg contract during heel rise and continues until the opposite foot heel touches the floor?

1 - gastrocnemius
2 - tibialis posterior
3 - plantar
4 - soleus

Answer 19

2 - tibialis posterior

Question 20

During the terminal stance phase of the gait cycle (just prior to the pre-swing phase, as we can see below), what muscle in the foot contract during heel rise and continues until the opposite foot heel touches the floor?

1 - flexors of the toes
2 - extensors of the toes
3 - adductors of the toes
4 - abductors of the toes

Answer 20

• TOE FLEXORS

- abductor hallucis, Flexor Digitorum Brevis, Lumbricals, Quadratus Plantae, Flexor Digiti Minimi Brevis,

Question 21

During pre-swing phase (as we can see below), which is the second double support, what muscle group will then contract to propel the hips forward through hip flexion?

1 - hip flexors
2 - hip extensors
3 - knee flexors
4 - knee abductors

Answer 21

1 - hip flexors

Question 22

The hip flexors are important during pre-swing phase (as we can see below), which is the second double support. The hip flexors are composed of 5 muscles, label the image below, using the labels:

psoas major
iliacus
pectineus
rectus femoris 
sartorius

Answer 22

1 - iliacus
2 - rectus femoris 
3 - psoas major
4 - pectineus
5 - sartorius

Question 23

During swing phase (as we can see below), what muscle group will then contract to propel the hips forward through hip flexion?

1 - hip flexors
2 - hip extensors
3 - knee flexors
4 - knee abductors

Answer 23

1 - hip flexors

- contract to pull the hip forward

Question 24

The mid-swing of the gait cycle is when the foot needs to clear the floor. What group of muscles is involved in achieving this?

1 - knee flexors
2 - hip flexors
3 - ankle plantarflexors
4 - ankle dorsiflexors

Answer 24

4 - ankle dorsiflexors

Question 25

The ankle dorsiflexors are important in the mid-swing of the gait cycle to ensure the foot clears the floor. What 3 muscles of the ankle dorsiflexors are important here?

Answer 25

1 - tibialis anterior
2 - extensor hallucis longus
3 - extensor digitorum longus

Question 26

The terminal swing phase of the gait cycle is the point from where tibia is vertical to just prior to initial contact. What group of muscles are important in controlling the movement of the limb forwards?

1 - hip extensors
2 - knee extensors
3 - ankle plantarflexors
4 - knee flexors

Answer 26

4 - knee flexors

- more commonly referred to as hamstrings

Question 27

What 3 muscles make up the hamstrings?

Answer 27

1 - bicep femoris
2 - semimembranosus
3 - semitendinosus

Question 28

What is the centre of gravity?

Answer 28

• the balance point of your body

Question 29

What is the normal centre of gravity in humans?

1 - 5cm anteriorly to L2 vertebral of the spine
2 - 5cm anteriorly to T2 vertebral of the spine
3 - 5cm anteriorly to S2 vertebral of the spine
4 - 5cm anteriorly to S4 vertebral of the spine

Answer 29

3 - 5cm anteriorly to S2 vertebral of the spine

Question 30

During the normal gait cycle what happens to the centre of gravity in men?

1 - remains the same
2 - moves horizontally 5 degrees
3 - moves backwards 5 degrees
4 - moves vertically 5 degrees

Answer 30

2 - moves horizontally 5 degrees

- only horizontal in men

Question 31

During the normal gait cycle what happens to the centre of gravity in women?

1 - remains the same
2 - moves horizontally and vertically 5 degrees
3 - moves backwards 5 degrees
4 - moves vertically 5 degrees

Answer 31

2 - moves horizontally and vertically 5 degrees

Question 32

During the normal gait cycle the centre of gravity (COG) is able to move vertically and horizontally in women. What stage of the gait cycle would the COG be highest?

1 - mid swing phase
2 - swing phase phase
3 - heel strike phase
4 - mid stance phase

Answer 32

4 - mid stance phase

Question 33

During the normal gait cycle the centre of gravity (COG) is able to move vertically and horizontally. What stage of the gait cycle would the COG be lowest?

1 - mid swing phase
2 - swing phase phase
3 - double limb support
4 - mid stance phase

Answer 33

3 - double limb support

- we generally drop slightly forward when walking in this stage

Question 34

What can happen to our centre of gravity when we walk on different terrains?

Answer 34

• will adjust to the terrain (up or down hill for examples)

Question 35

Why can some musculoskeletal conditions affect our gait?

Answer 35

• alters normal gait to relieve pain or other symptoms

- i.e. arthritis, Tendinopathy, Ligament injury, Muscle problems, Skeletal abnormalities

Question 36

Why can some neurological conditions affect our gait?

Answer 36

• affects muscle co-ordination

Question 37

At what age is normal gait acquired?

1 - 1-4 y/o
2 - 4-8 y/o
3 - 10 y/o
4 - 12 y/o

Answer 37

• 2 - 4-8 y/o

Question 38

If a patient has significant knee osteoarthritis, what other joints could be affected?

Answer 38

• ankle
• hip
• back