Normal Gait

Question 1

When utilizing the Heel Rocker, what muscles are activated, what are they trying to prevent?

Answer 1

Muscles Activated: Anterior Muscles
- Tibialis Anterior
- Quadriceps
- Hip Flexors
- Abdominals

(Attempts to prevent us from having falling back)

Question 2

When utilizing the Forefoot Rocker, what muscles are activated, what are they trying to prevent?

Answer 2

Muscles Activated: Posterior Muscles
- Plantar Flexors
- Hamstrings
- Hip Extensors
- Back Extensors/Erector Spinae

(Attempts to prevent us from falling forward)

Question 3

What side of the body is active during initial contact/heel strike?

Answer 3

Anterior Side

(abdominals, hip flexors, knee extensors and
ankle dorsiflexors)

Question 4

What side of the body is active during terminal stance/toe-off?

Answer 4

Posterior Side

(Back extensors, hip extensors, knee flexors and ankle plantar flexor)

Need to stop from falling forward!

Question 5

What ROM is required during stance phase: Hip

Answer 5

0-30 Degrees of Flexion

Question 6

What ROM is required during swing phase: Hip

Answer 6

20-30 Degrees of Flexion

Question 7

What ROM is required during stance phase: Knee

Answer 7

0-40 Degrees of Flexion

Question 8

What ROM is required during swing phase: Knee

Answer 8

0-60 Degrees of Flexion

Question 9

What ROM is required during stance phase: Ankle

Answer 9

0-10 Degrees of Dorsiflexion

0-20 Degrees of Plantar Flexion

Question 10

What ROM is required during swing phase: Ankle

Answer 10

0-10 Degrees of Plantar Flexion (Early Swing)

Question 11

Muscle Activity During Gait: Anterior Tibial Muscles

Answer 11

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

Question 12

Muscle Activity During Gait: Calf Muscles

Answer 12

Gastroc, Soleus (FDL, FHL, Posterior Tibialis)

Midstance:
- Eccentric Contraction: Control anterior tibial translation over the foot.

Heel Off:
- Concentric Contraction: Ankle Plantar Flexion

Question 13

Muscle Activity During Gait: Quadriceps

Answer 13

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)

Question 14

Muscle Activity During Gait: Hamstrings

Answer 14

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

Question 15

Muscle Activity During Gait: Hip Abductors

Answer 15

Gluteus Medius/Minimus, TFL

Stance Phase:
Eccentric Contraction: Stabilize Pelvis

Question 16

What is one Gait Cycle?

Answer 16

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.

Question 17

What is Stride?

Answer 17

Contact of one foot to contact of the same foot.

[A stride contains two steps]

-Synonyms to a gait cycle

Question 18

What is Step?

Answer 18

Contact of one foot to contact of the other foot.

Question 19

What is Stride Length?

Answer 19

Distance from initial contact to initial contact of the same foot.

Question 20

What is Step Length?

Answer 20

Distance from initial contact of one foot to initial contact of the other foot.

Question 21

What is Step Width?

Answer 21

Side-to-side distance. (Normal 8-10 cm)

Question 22

What is Step Frequency?

Answer 22

Number of steps per second (1/step time)

Question 23

What is Cadence?

Answer 23

Number of Steps per minute (step frequency x 60 seconds)

Question 24

What is Gait Speed?

Answer 24

Distance divided by Time

Distance traveled in a time frame

Question 25

Muscle Activity During Gait: Gluteus Maximus

Answer 25

**Stance Phase:** _Eccentric Contraction_: Decelerate forward momentum (hip flexion) **Pre-Swing:** _Concentric Contraction_: Hip Extension

Question 26

How much time is spent during the stance phase, and the swing phase of gait?

Answer 26

Stance Phase: **60%** to 65% Swing Phase: 35% - **40%**

Question 27

Phases included in Stance Phase?

Answer 27

- Initial Contact (Heel Strike) - Loading Response (Foot Flat) - Midstance (Single-leg Stance) - Terminal Stance (Heel off) - Preswing (toe off)

Question 28

Phases of Swing Phase?

Answer 28

- Initial Swing (acceleration) - Mid Swing - Terminal Swing (deceleration)

Question 29

What is Double-Leg Stance?

Answer 29

Phase of gait where **both feet are on the ground**. Occurs _twice_ during the gait cycle.

Question 30

What is normal step width?

Answer 30

8 - 10 cm

Question 31

What parameters decrease with age?

Answer 31

- Step length - Stride length - Cadence

Question 32

What is normal cadence?

Answer 32

**_90 - 120_** steps per minutes

Question 33

Is cadence higher in men or women?

Answer 33

**Women**, have higher cadence and shorter step length

Question 34

Dorsiflexors Terminate their action by the end of which gait phase?

Answer 34

The end of **_loading response_**

Question 35

What occurs at the knee if the GRF (ground reaction force line) is anterior to the knee?

Answer 35

Produces an **_external knee extensor_** moment

Question 36

What occurs at the knee if the GRF (ground reaction force line) is posterior to the knee?

Answer 36

Produces an **_external knee flexor_** moment

Question 37

What rocker is the strongest propelling force during the gait cycle?

Answer 37

**Forefoot**; acceleration rocker and aids in propulsion

Question 38

When does the First Rocker occur during the gait cycle and its action?

Answer 38

Between **initial contact and when foot is flat.** - Ankle dorsiflexors active eccentrically controlling foot descent (Deceleration Rocker)

Question 39

When does the Second Rocker occur during the gait cycle and its action?

Answer 39

**_During foot flat_** during tibial advancement - Plantar flexors contracting eccentrically (Deceleration Rocker)

Question 40

Normal gait speed?

Answer 40

**1.42 m/sec (3 mph)**

Question 41

Phase of gait in which the hamstring muscles have the highest activation?

Answer 41

**Terminal Swing**; greatest eccentric contraction for knee extension deceleration

Question 42

Maximum lateral displacement occurs during which phase of gait?

Answer 42

Mistance (side-to-side movement)

Question 43

Muscles that primarily control hip during stance phase of gait?

Answer 43

Hip abductors and extensors

Question 44

What muscles are most important when wanting to increase running velocity?

Answer 44

**Hip extensors**; the ability to extend the hip is the most important factor in determining sprint speed.

Question 45

Main purpose of intrinsic foot muscles during gait?

Answer 45

- _Stabilize the forefoot_ - _Raise the medial longitudinal arch_