Mechanics of Walking and Stairs

Question 1

What is gait made up of?

Answer 1

Gait is made up of stance and swing phases. Within these phases, there will be times of double support (both feet in contact with floor) and single support (one leg in contact with floor)

Question 2

Define step length

Answer 2

Step length is the distance btw right and left feet

Question 3

Define stride length

Answer 3

Stride length is the distance btw right foot initial contact and right foot final contact

Question 4

Define step time

Answer 4

The amount of time it takes you to complete one step

Question 5

Define stride time

Answer 5

The amount of time it takes you to complete one stride

Question 6

Define walking speed

Answer 6

Calculated by metres walked per second

Question 7

Define cadence

Answer 7

Calculated by steps walked per minute

Question 8

Important components: walking stance phase

Answer 8

• Extension of hip throughout
• Flexion of knee on heel strike (yield <10 degrees)
• Extension through midstance and flexion prior toe-off
• Dorsiflexion of ankle until end of stance then fast plantarflexion
• Lateral horizontal shift of pelvis and trunk

Question 9

Important components: walking swing phase

Answer 9

• Flexion of knee with hip in extension
• Hip flexion
• Dorsiflexion of ankle throughout
• Slight lateral pelvic tilt downwards
• Rotation of pelvis forward
• Extension of knee prior to heel strike

Question 10

Adaptive strategies: walking

Answer 10

• Walking slowly
• Increased time in double support
• Short step length
• Trunk inclined forwards during stance
• Wide BoS
• Elevation of pelvis and abduction of leg
• Toes not clearing ground during swing
• Trunk inclined backwards at end of swing

Question 11

How do we assess impairments in walking?

Answer 11

• Timed 10m walk test
• 6MWT
• Item 5 MAS

Question 12

Describe the movements of the hip during stance phase

Answer 12

START: heel strike - flexion
DURING: extending
END: toe off - extension

Question 13

Describe the movements of the hip during swing phase

Answer 13

START: toe off - extension
DURING: flexing
END: heel strike - flexion

Question 14

Describe the movements of the knee during stance phase

Answer 14

START: heel strike - slight flexion
DURING: extends mid stance, flexes late stance
END: toe off - flexion

Question 15

Describe the movements of the knee during swing phase

Answer 15

START: toe off - flexion
DURING: early flexion, late extension
END: heel strike - extension (slight flexion present)

Question 16

Describe the movements of the ankle during stance phase

Answer 16

START: heel strike - plantargrade, slight dorsiflexion
DURING: DF to midstance, PF to late stance
END: toe off - plantarflexion

Question 17

Describe the movements of the ankle during swing phase

Answer 17

START: toe off - plantarflexion
DURING: DF early, holds at plantargrade
END: heel strike - plantargrade, slight DF

Question 18

Where is power created in walking?

Answer 18

ANKLE: toe-off (concentric plantarflexion)
KNEE: mid-stance (concentric extension)
HIP: loading (concentric extension) and end stance/early swing (concentric flexion)

Question 19

Where is power absorbed in walking?

Answer 19

ANKLE: heel strike (eccentric PF during stance)
KNEE: yield/loading (eccentric extension), end stance (eccentric extension to control flexion), and end swing (eccentric flexion)
HIP: mid-stance (eccentric flexion)

Question 20

How do we assess impairments in walking on stairs?

Answer 20

• Item 5 MAS
• Timed ascent/descent of stairs