Gait - Normal

Question 1

Step Length

Answer 1

• Heel strike on opposite feet (heel strike of left to heel strike on right)

Question 2

Stride Length

Answer 2

• Heel strike to heel strike on same feet (heel strike on right to heel strike on right)

Question 3

Cadence

Answer 3

• Number of steps per minute
• More steps does not always equal going a further distance (like parkinsons, a lot of steps but they dont make it very far)

Question 4

Gait Cycle Divisions (according to Ranchos Los Amigos - RLA)

Answer 4

• STANCE (60%)
  — Initial contact (early stance)
  — Loading response (early stance)
  — Mid stance (mid stance)
  — Terminal stance (late stance)
  — Pre-swing (late stance)
• SWING (40%)
  — Initial swing (early swing)
  — Mid swing (mid swing)
  — Terminal swing (late swing)

Question 5

Ankle Muscle Actions in Gait

Answer 5

• Initial contact — isometric ant tib
• Loading response — eccentric ant tib
• Mid stance — eccentric gastroc/soleus
• Terminal stance — eccentric gastroc/soleus
• Pre-swing — concentric gastroc/soleus
• Initial Swing — concentric ant tib
• Mid swing — isometric ant tib
• Terminal swing - isometric ant tib

Question 6

Locking of Ankle/Foot

Answer 6

• To make the foot rigid to push off, it must supinate
• Allows for a rigid foot to push off
• Calcaneal inversion (supination)
• Helps with terminal stance to pre-swing
• Individuals that would have a hard time with this are Down syndrome because of joint laxity or clubfoot

Question 7

Unlocking of Foot/Ankle

Answer 7

• To make the foot more flimsy and absorb shock, it must be pronated
• Used on uneven ground
• Calcaneal eversion (pronation) unlocks foot
• Occurs in loading response
• Allows midfoot/forefoot to conform to terrain

Question 8

Windlass Mechanism

Answer 8

• On bottom of foot is the plantar fascia
• This gets tight/stretches in terminal stance to pre-swing
• This stores energy to spring into action and propel us forward
• Associated with locking of foot

Question 9

Knee Muscle Actions in Gait

Answer 9

• Initial contact — isometric quads
• Loading response — eccentric quads
• Mid stance — concentric quads
• Terminal stance — quads/HS silent
• Pre-swing — concentric popliteus, gracilis, and sartorius
• Initial swing — concentric hamstrings
• Mid swing — concentric quads and eccentric hamstrings
• Terminal swing — concentric quads and eccentric hamstrings

Question 10

Hip Muscle Actions in Gait

Answer 10

• Initial contact — concentric glut max
• Loading response — concentric glut max and hamstrings
• Mid stance — silent glut max and hamstrings
• Terminal stance — eccentric iliopsoas
• Pre-swing — concentric hip flexors
• Initial swing — concentric hip flexors
• Mid swing — concentric gracilis and add longus
• Terminal swing — eccentric gracilis

Question 11

Pelvis Action in Gait

Answer 11

• Initial contact with right leg causes right pelvis to come forward
• Loading response on right causes left pelvis to drop
• Trunk moves from neutral to slight extension throughout gait (forward trunk lean is not normal)
• Trunk rotation chases initial contact (trunk is always rotated towards side going towards initial contact, once that leg hits initial contact the the trunk changes direction to rotate towards other leg that is now going towards initial contact)