Normal Gait

Question 1

gait cycle

Answer 1

time taken or sequence of motions occurring between two consecutive heel
strikes
● Time from one heel strike to the next ipsilateral heel strike
● Synonymous with stride length

Question 2

COG

Answer 2

approximately 2 in (5 cm) anterior to the second sacral bone (S2)
● Propulsion pushes the COG anterior to the base of support (BOS)
● Slightly higher in males

Question 3

stride length

Answer 3

1 gait cycle corresponds to 1 stride length
● Two step lengths added together make one stride length
● Approximately 56 in (142 cm)

Question 4

step length

Answer 4

distance between the point of the heel strike of one foot and the point of the
heel strike of the opposite foot
● Approximately 28 in (71 cm)

Question 5

step width

Answer 5

distance between the feet
● Normal step width: between 2 and 4 in (between 5 and 10 cm)
● Forms the BOS
● A larger BOS indicates a pathology involving balance (cerebellar problem, inner ear
problem, diabetes mellitus [DM], neuropathy)

Question 6

lateral pelvic shift

Answer 6

side-to-side movement of pelvis during walking
● Necessary to center the weight of the body over the stance leg for balance
➤ Causes a relative adduction of the weight-bearing (WB) limb, facilitating adductors
➤ If the abductor is weak, Trendelenburg gait is seen
● Normal lateral pelvic shift: 1–2 in (2.5–5 cm)
➤ Increases if there is wider BOS

Question 7

vertical pelvic shift

Answer 7

keeps COG from moving up and down by >2 in (5 cm)
● High point occurs during midstance (MSt)
● Low point during initial contact (IC)
➤ The heights of these points can increase during the swing phase if the knee is
fused or does not bend
● During the swing phase, the hip is lower on the swing side
➤ Pelvis rotates clockwise; thorax rotates counterclockwise

Question 8

pelvic rotation

Answer 8

necessary to lessen the angle of the femur with the floor (lengthens the
femur)
● Rotation decreases the COG dip by decreasing the amplitude of displacement of the COG
● 4° on each side (forward on the swing leg; backward on the stance leg)
➤ To maintain balance, the thorax rotates in the opposite direction

Question 9

cadence

Answer 9

number of steps per minute
● Increased cadence at the same speed → shorter step length
● For a typical gait cycle, cadence = 90–120 steps per minute
● Typical gait speed: 1.4 m/s (3 mph)
➤ Running cadence: 180 steps per minute
➤ Cadence is usually higher in females

Question 10

double support

Answer 10

both limbs are in the stance phase at the same time

Question 11

zero support/double float

Answer 11

both legs in the air (jogging, running)
● Period of time when both feet are not in contact with the ground
● Running requires a greater range of motion (ROM) than walking
➤ Example: hip flexion ROM
Walking: 40° to 45°
Running: 60° to 75°
● For running, the hip extensor strength is the most important factor
● Stride length is also important

Question 12

metabolic cost of walking

Answer 12

5.5 kcal/min on a level walking surface
● Increases with age, abnormal gait, or use of an assistive device

Question 13

mature walking

Answer 13

walking velocity and step length increase, cadence decreases
● Begins at about 6 to 7 years of age

Question 14

temporal variables

Answer 14

Stride and step duration
● Cadence

Question 15

spatial variables

Answer 15

● Degree of foot angle
● Width of BOS
● Step length
● Stride length

Question 16

spatiotemporal variable

Answer 16

walking speed

Question 17

initial contact (heel strike)

Answer 17

moment when the foot makes contact with the ground

Question 18

loading response (foot flat)

Answer 18

weight is rapidly transferred onto the outstretched limb
➤ Midstance: body progresses over a single stable limb

Question 19

midstance

Answer 19

body progress over a single stable limb

Question 20

terminal stance (heel off)

Answer 20

progression over stance limb continues; body moves
ahead of the limb, and weight is transferred onto the forefoot

Question 21

preswing (toe off)

Answer 21

rapid unloading of the limb occurs as weight is transferred
to the contralateral limb

Question 22

initial swing

Answer 22

thigh begins to advance as the foot comes off the floor

Question 23

mid swing

Answer 23

thigh continues to advance as the knee begins to extend and the foot
clears the ground

Question 24

terminal swing (deceleration)

Answer 24

knee extends, and the limb prepares to make con-
tact with the ground for IC

Question 25

Pelvis rotation

Answer 25

Rotates 5° on either side

Question 26

Hip rotation for normal gait pattern

Answer 26

● Stance: 0° to 30° flexion; 0° to 10 to 20° hyperextension
● Swing: 20° to 30° flexion

Question 27

knee ROM for normal gait

Answer 27

● Stance: 0° to 40° flexion
● Swing: 0° to 60° flexion