Phases of Gait

Question 1

Initial Contact

Answer 1

Functional Task of Weight Acceptance
Moment foot contacts the ground / immediate reactio to onset of body weight transfer
Critical Events
Heel first contact
Initiation of heel rocker
Impact Deceleration

Hip 20° Flexion, Knee 0-5° flexion, Ankle 0°
Glute med, min, quads, and dorsiflexors are working eccentrically, glute max is working isometrically and there is erector spinae activation.

Question 2

Loading Response

Answer 2

Functional Task of Weight Acceptance
Double limb support
Weight rapidly transferred onto outstretched limb
Critical Events
Progression of heel rocker
Restrained ankle plantar flexion
Restrained knee flexion
Sustained Hip Flexion

glute med and min are working isometrically, quads are working concentrically and gastroc and soleus are working eccentrically.

Hip flexion is 30 degrees, knee flexion of 15 degrees and the ankle is at 5-15 degrees of plantar flexion.

Question 3

Mid-Stance

Answer 3

Functional Task of Single limb support
Body progresses over single, stable limb
Critical Events
Ankle Rocker
Restrained ankle dorsiflexion
Restrained knee extension
Frontal plane hip stablization

During this phase the hip is at 0-5 degrees of flexion, the knee is at 5 degrees of flexion and the ankle is at 5 degrees of dorsiflexion.

Glue med and min are working concentrically, the iliopsoas is working eccentrically, and the gastroc and soleus are beginning to shift from eccentric to concentric action

Question 4

Terminal Stance

Answer 4

Functional Task of Single limb support
Body moves ahead of stance limb and weight is transferred to forefoot
Critical Events
Initiatation of forefoot rocker
Controlled ankle dorsiflexion with heel rise
Trailing limb posture
Free forward fall
ip is at 10-20 degrees of extension, there is backward rotation of the pelvis of about 5 degrees, the knee is at 0-5 degrees of flexion and the ankle is at 10 degrees of dorsiflexion.

Iliopsoas, quads gastroc and soleus are working concentrically, and there is the activation of the erector spine muscles.

Question 5

Pre-Swing

Answer 5

Second period of double limb support
Functional Task of Swing Limb Advancement
Rapid unloading of reference limb as weight is transferred to contralateral limb
Critical Events
Adequate knee flexion
Adequate ankle plantar flexion

knee is flexed to 40 degrees, the ankle is plantar flexed to 20 degrees

Iliopsoas, dorsiflexors, and quads are acting concentrically.

Question 6

Initial Swing

Answer 6

Functional Task of Swing Limb Advancement
Thigh begins to advance as foot comes up off the floor
Critical Events
Adequate knee flexion
Adequate hip flexion

The hip is flexed to 20 degrees, the knee is flexed to 60 degrees and the ankle is plantarflexed at 10-20 degrees.

Iliopsoas and dorsiflexors are working concentrically and there is activation of the hip adductors.

Question 7

Mid-Swing

Answer 7

Functional Task of Swing Limb Advancement
Thigh continues to advance as knee begins to extend
Critical Events
Adequate hip flexion
Adequate ankle dorsiflexion

The hip and knee are flexed to 30 degrees, and the ankle is at 0 degrees.

Dorsiflexors are working isometrically

Question 8

Terminal Swing

Answer 8

Functional Task of Swing Limb Advancement
Knee extends as the limb prepares for contact with ground
Critical Events
Deceleration and inhibition of hip flexion
Decleration at the knee
Adequate knee extension
Adequate ankle dorsiflexion

forward rotation of the pelvis at 5 degrees, hip flexion is at 30 degrees

Hamstrings and hip adductors are working eccentrically and dorsiflexors are working isometrically

Question 9

What is happening in the limb opposite to the reference limb?

Answer 9