Phases of gait cycle

Question 1

Initial contact (heel strike)

Answer 1

Start of 1st double support
instantaneous event when heel just touches ground (heel strike)
ankle is in neutral position (0) knee in slight flexion (5) hip in flexion (35)
objective is to prepare foot for the proper landing position and for following period shock absorption of floor impact

Question 2

Loading response

Answer 2

end of 1s double supprt
start of one leg supprt
period from heel strike until the sole contacts ground and body weight is transferred to supporting leg (reference leg)
Ankle is in slight plantar flexion (<10) knee in flexion (15) and hip in flexion (<25)
objective is shock absorption of floor impact (ground action forces arises to 130% of body weight) and preservation of forward progression

Question 3

1st rocker

Answer 3

begins with initial floor contact by calcaneal tuberosities, acting as fulcrum around which foot drops into plantarflexion
(see-saw like)
Lasts until entire sole of foot contacts ground

Question 4

Midstance (Mid support)

Answer 4

End of first half of stance
start of second half of stance
period contralateral leg is lifted while body weight is transferred along sole to forefoot of reference leg
the ankle is in neutral position (0) knee almost straight (5) and hip in neutral position
objective is to secure stability of supporting leg in order to facilitate forward advancement of swinging leg

Question 5

2nd rocker

Answer 5

tibia is advancing over stable foot using ankle as fulcrum to facilitate forward progression of body
starts when entire sole contacts the ground and lasts until hurl tissue beings (end of mid)
starts with heel rise of reference leg and forward transfer of body weight on metatarsals
lasts until contralateral (swinging) leg touches ground

Question 6

Terminal stance

Answer 6

end of single support. start of double support
for body progression over stance limb essential component is action of three rockers by foot and ankle of reference limb
begins when heel leaves round while body weight is transferred forward over heads of metatarsals as fulcrum’
serves as base for limb acceleration in pre-swing

Question 7

Pre-swing

Answer 7

ends of double support. preparing swing
instantaneous event when foot of supporting (ipsilateral) leg is leaving ground
determines end of phase where body weight is transferred from supporting leg to contralateral limb allowing toes of ipsilateral limb to leave ground

Question 8

initial swing

Answer 8

start of swing
one legged support
starts with toes leaving ground and lasting until knee reaches maximum flexion of 65,
swinging limb lies directly under trunk next to contralateral limb
hip is in flexion (10) knee maximum flexed (65) and ankle on plantar flexion (5)
objective is forward advancement of leg without foot drag because there is a narrow space left (0.87) between toes and ground

Question 9

Mid swing

Answer 9

Middle of swing
middle of one leg support
starts with max knee flexion and lasts until tibia is in vertical position in relation to ground
hip is in flexion (20) and ankle is in dorsal flexion (5) in order to further avoid foot drag because of knee

Question 10

Terminal swing

Answer 10

End of swing
end of single support
tibia swings beyond vertical position moving ahead of thigh, knee is in full extension, hip in maximal flexion (35) and ankle in neutral
advancement of tibia must be decelerated and foot prepared for next landing