Reciprocal Gait

Question 1

What is reciprocal gait?

Answer 1

normal walking

Question 2

Describe reciprocal gait grossly

Answer 2

the lower limbs are used alternatively to provide support and propulsion

Question 3

What systems are used in gait analysis?

Answer 3

motion analysis systems
force plates
electromyography

all in a gait laboratory

Question 4

What are the phases of the gait cycle?

Answer 4

heel contact 
foot flat 
mid stance 
heel off 
toe off 
mid swing 
heel contact

Question 5

What is double support?

Answer 5

the period of time where both feet are in contact with the ground during the gait cycle

Question 6

What defines the stance phase?

Answer 6

part of the foot being in contact with the ground

Question 7

what defines the swing phase?

Answer 7

when the same foot loses contact with the ground

Question 8

How many steps are in one stride?

Answer 8

2

Question 9

What is the ROM of the hip during normal walking?

Answer 9

15 degrees extension to 30 degrees flexion

Question 10

What is the ROM of the knee joint during normal walking?

Answer 10

a few degrees of extension to 70 degrees of flexion

Question 11

What is the ROM of the ankle joint during normal walking?

Answer 11

15 degrees of plantar flexion to 10 degrees of dorsiflexion

Question 12

Which lower limb joint has the greatest range of motion during the gait cycle?

Answer 12

knee

Question 13

What is the ground reaction force?

Answer 13

when the foot is in contact with the ground it exerts a force against the ground. By Newton’s III law, the ground exerts an equal and opposite force on the foot - the ground reaction force

Question 14

How is ground reaction force measured?

Answer 14

force plates

Question 15

What is a butterfly diagram?

Answer 15

diagram measuring variation of ground reaction force through the stance phase

Question 16

Why does the hamstring contract slightly on heel contact?

Answer 16

to prevent hyperextension of the knee

Question 17

Why do the hip extensors contract on heel contact?

Answer 17

to prevent the upper body falling forwards