GAIT CYCLE Flashcards
Definition
Walking is the result of a cyclic series of movements
Can be described in terms of:
– space- stride length, step length, step with foot angle
– time- cadence, stride time, step time
Key events during the gait cycle
There are 2 main phases:
- stance phase-
—- hell contact (heel strike)
—- foot flat (whole foot is in contact with the ground) (body is behind leg at this point)
—- heel off
—- toe off (centre of gravity now shifted to infant of the body) - swing phase:
– this involves swinging the leg back when its in the air
—- acceleration (foot behind body, coming from behind)
—- midswing (swinging the leg past the centre of gravity of the body, past the midline)
—- deceleration (deceleration of the foot during the swing before placing the foot back on the floor for heel strike)
The pelvis ligaments and other tissues in pelvis will pre load due to anticipatory load bearing as it knows what’s coming
Influencing factors of gait
Internal factors:
– vertical displacement
– centre of gravity
– lateral pelvic tilt
– anterior/posterior rotation of the pelvis
– knee flexion
– Q angle
– patella malt racking
– role of the talus isn’t working
– femoral angle of inclination
External factors:
– gravity
– centre of gravity
– inertia
– ground reaction forces
– external sources of force (push)
pathological factors:
– OA
– RA
– congenital dysplasia of the hip
Stage 1- the initial contact and heel strike
Angles:
– hip flexion- 20 degrees
– knee flexion- 0
– ankle dorsi flexion- 0
Movers:
– Quad
– glut max
Stabilisers:
– ITB, QL/obliques
Stage 2- foot flat, loading response
Hip flexion- 20
knee flexion- 20
ankle PF- 5
MOVERS:
– quads, glut max and gastrocs
STABILISERS:
– QL and ITB
Stage 3- mid foot
ankle, knee and hip all in line at this point
Hip flexion- 0
Knee flexion- 5
Ankle DF- 5
Movers- quads, glut max, soles/gastrocs
Stabilisers- QL/obliques, ITB, glut med/min
