Symposium - Gait and posture Flashcards
what is gait
it is translocates centre of body mass in the direction of locomotion
what does normal gait relies on?
Joint - intact bones and well functioning joints,
muscle - adequate muscle strength
nerves - relies on both CNS & PNS
Vision
also relies on vestibular and auditory systems
why does the gait changes in elderly?
decrease muscle size, decrease strength and flexibility
what are the major changes of the gait in elderly
reduction in overall velocity, reduction in the step/stride length - generally velocity is preserved by taking more steps instead of increasing stride
where is the centre of gravity lie in the body
lies anterior to S2 vertebra, slightly posterior to hip joints, anterior to knee and ankle joints
what is the most stable position for hips and knees
extension - minimises need for muscular contraction during standing
what is forward sway
due to the centre of gravity being anterior to the ankle joint, the natural movement is to fall forward
how is forward sway counteracted?
counteracted by contraction of plantar flexor muscles
what are the 2 phrases of the walking cycles?
stance phase (foot in contact with ground;60%), swing phrase (foots in the air;40%)
what are the sequences of the walking cycles
heel strike (initial contact)- loading response (foot flat) - midstance - terminal stance (heel off) - preswing (toe off) - initial & mid swing - terminal swing
what is double & single support in the gait cycle
double support = both feet on the ground
what are the 5 sequences in the stance phase
heel strike - loading response - mid-stance-terminal stance- pre-swing
what are the 3 sequences within the swing phase
initial swing - mid-swing - terminal swing
what is dynamic contraction
it is muscle contracts with a change in length
what is isometric contraction?
it is muscles contracts without changing in length
what controls the lowering of forefoot to the ground
eccentric contraction of tibialis anterior