Normal Gait Flashcards
When utilizing the Heel Rocker, what muscles are activated, what are they trying to prevent?
Muscles Activated: Anterior Muscles
- Tibialis Anterior
- Quadriceps
- Hip Flexors
- Abdominals
(Attempts to prevent us from having falling back)
When utilizing the Forefoot Rocker, what muscles are activated, what are they trying to prevent?
Muscles Activated: Posterior Muscles
- Plantar Flexors
- Hamstrings
- Hip Extensors
- Back Extensors/Erector Spinae
(Attempts to prevent us from falling forward)
What side of the body is active during initial contact/heel strike?
Anterior Side
(abdominals, hip flexors, knee extensors and
ankle dorsiflexors)
What side of the body is active during terminal stance/toe-off?
Posterior Side
(Back extensors, hip extensors, knee flexors and ankle plantar flexor)
Need to stop from falling forward!
What ROM is required during stance phase: Hip
0-30 Degrees of Flexion
What ROM is required during swing phase: Hip
20-30 Degrees of Flexion
What ROM is required during stance phase: Knee
0-40 Degrees of Flexion
What ROM is required during swing phase: Knee
0-60 Degrees of Flexion
What ROM is required during stance phase: Ankle
0-10 Degrees of Dorsiflexion
0-20 Degrees of Plantar Flexion
What ROM is required during swing phase: Ankle
0-10 Degrees of Plantar Flexion (Early Swing)
Muscle Activity During Gait: Anterior Tibial Muscles
Anterior Tibialis, EDL, EHL
Prior to and During Heel Strike:
- Eccentric Contraction: Lowers foot to ground
Prior to and during swing:
- Concentric Contraction: Dorsiflexion, Clear toes off ground
Muscle Activity During Gait: Calf Muscles
Gastroc, Soleus (FDL, FHL, Posterior Tibialis)
Midstance:
- Eccentric Contraction: Control anterior tibial translation over the foot.
Heel Off:
- Concentric Contraction: Ankle Plantar Flexion
Muscle Activity During Gait: Quadriceps
Vastus Medialis/Lateralis/Intermedius, Rectus Femoris
Before Heel Strike:
Eccentric Contraction: Quads control rapid knee flexion and prevent buckling.
Pre-Swing:
Eccentric Contracion: Slow down leg (tibia)
Muscle Activity During Gait: Hamstrings
Biceps Femoris, Semitendinosus, Semimembranosus
Heel Strike:
Eccentric Contraction: Protects knee from hyperextension. Slows down leg advancement at terminal swing
Swing Phase:
Concentric Contraction: Knee Flexion, Hip Extension
Muscle Activity During Gait: Hip Abductors
Gluteus Medius/Minimus, TFL
Stance Phase:
Eccentric Contraction: Stabilize Pelvis
What is one Gait Cycle?
Occurence of a gait event on one side to the same gait event occurring again on the same side.
I.e One heel strike to the next, ipsilateral heel strike.
What is Stride?
Contact of one foot to contact of the same foot.
[A stride contains two steps]
-Synonyms to a gait cycle
What is Step?
Contact of one foot to contact of the other foot.
What is Stride Length?
Distance from initial contact to initial contact of the same foot.
What is Step Length?
Distance from initial contact of one foot to initial contact of the other foot.
What is Step Width?
Side-to-side distance. (Normal 8-10 cm)
What is Step Frequency?
Number of steps per second (1/step time)
What is Cadence?
Number of Steps per minute (step frequency x 60 seconds)
What is Gait Speed?
Distance divided by Time
Distance traveled in a time frame
Muscle Activity During Gait: Gluteus Maximus
Stance Phase:
Eccentric Contraction: Decelerate forward momentum (hip flexion)
Pre-Swing:
Concentric Contraction: Hip Extension
How much time is spent during the stance phase, and the swing phase of gait?
Stance Phase: 60% to 65%
Swing Phase: 35% - 40%
Phases included in Stance Phase?
- Initial Contact (Heel Strike)
- Loading Response (Foot Flat)
- Midstance (Single-leg Stance)
- Terminal Stance (Heel off)
- Preswing (toe off)
Phases of Swing Phase?
- Initial Swing (acceleration)
- Mid Swing
- Terminal Swing (deceleration)
What is Double-Leg Stance?
Phase of gait where both feet are on the ground. Occurs twice during the gait cycle.
What is normal step width?
8 - 10 cm
What parameters decrease with age?
- Step length
- Stride length
- Cadence
What is normal cadence?
90 - 120 steps per minutes
Is cadence higher in men or women?
Women, have higher cadence and shorter step length
Dorsiflexors Terminate their action by the end of which gait phase?
The end of loading response
What occurs at the knee if the GRF (ground reaction force line) is anterior to the knee?
Produces an external knee extensor moment
What occurs at the knee if the GRF (ground reaction force line) is posterior to the knee?
Produces an external knee flexor moment
What rocker is the strongest propelling force during the gait cycle?
Forefoot; acceleration rocker and aids in propulsion
When does the First Rocker occur during the gait cycle and its action?
Between initial contact and when foot is flat.
- Ankle dorsiflexors active eccentrically controlling foot descent
(Deceleration Rocker)
When does the Second Rocker occur during the gait cycle and its action?
During foot flat during tibial advancement
- Plantar flexors contracting eccentrically
(Deceleration Rocker)
Normal gait speed?
1.42 m/sec (3 mph)
Phase of gait in which the hamstring muscles have the highest activation?
Terminal Swing; greatest eccentric contraction for knee extension deceleration
Maximum lateral displacement occurs during which phase of gait?
Mistance (side-to-side movement)
Muscles that primarily control hip during stance phase of gait?
Hip abductors and extensors
What muscles are most important when wanting to increase running velocity?
Hip extensors; the ability to extend the hip is the most important factor in determining sprint speed.
Main purpose of intrinsic foot muscles during gait?
- Stabilize the forefoot
- Raise the medial longitudinal arch
