Typically developing Gait Flashcards
What is the definition of a gait cycle?
A single stride starting when one foot strikes the ground and ends when the same foot strikes the ground again.
What are the two phases of the gait cycle?
- Swing: Foot in the air.
- Stance: Foot in contact with the ground.
What are the basic tasks of walking?
Weight acceptance, Single-limb support, Limb advancement.
What are the five subphases of stance in the gait cycle?
Initial contact, Loading response, Midstance, Terminal stance, Preswing.
What are the three subphases of swing in the gait cycle?
Initial swing, Midswing, Terminal swing.
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What prerequisites are needed for these walking attributes to develop?
Adequate motor control, CNS maturation, Adequate ROM and strength, Proper bone structure, Intact sensation, Muscle activation for pelvic stabilization.
What are the key neurological factors in gait development?
CPG circuits, neural foundations for locomotion established during embryogenesis, postnatal brain growth and myelination between 3-10 months.
What are the key biomechanical factors influencing gait?
ROM, Strength, Bone structure/composition, Body composition. Constraints in these areas affect muscle activity and joint kinematics.
What are the characteristics of mature walking?
Age 3 and older. 5 determinants: Duration of single-leg stance, Walking velocity, Cadence, Step length, Ratio of pelvic span to ankle spread.
What are the characteristics of immature walking?
Age 2.5 and younger. Decreased postural stability, Decreased single-leg stance time, Cadence rapidly decreases between ages 1-2.
What are the stages of lower extremity skeletal alignment during development?
Newborn: Genu varum (bow-legged), 6 months: Minimal genu varum, 18 months: Legs are straight, 2.5 years: Genu valgum (knock-knees), 4-6 years: Legs become less straight with normal out-toeing.
Birth - 3 months developmental gait
- crossed feet
- reciprocal kicking
- foot to foot contact (sensory receptors)
4-6 months developmental gait
- abd hips, ext knees
- BOS initially narrow, moving wider closer to 6 months
- plantigrade feet with full contact in WB
Birth - 9 months
- high level of fat content to overall body mass
- extremities grow before head and trunk
- visual, proprioceptive and vestibular work together to bring COM back to stable position
- femoral anteversion and genu varum as well as calcaneal eversion
9 - 12 months developmental gait
- increasing WB through LE
- crusing on surfaces (tippy toes but comes back to flat feet)
9 - 15 month walking factors
- onset of walking
- COM is at thoracic level
- body fat to mucle mass ratio is still high
- walk by falling
- small steps, increased cadence, body limbs in an extended, stiff position
9 - 15 months gait characteristics
- wide BOS
- increased hip and knee flexion
- plantarflexion at IC
- short stride
- foot drop during swing
18 - 24 months body structure
- genu varus resolved and LE are straight
- decreased hip abd and flexion
- calcaneal eversion remains
18- 24 months gait characteristics
- decreased BOS
- heel strike is consistent after 6 months of indep walking OR by 24 months of age
- dynamic balance and strength are improving
- COM lowers to the proximal end of LE
- learning to navigate uneven surfaces and obstacles
3 - 3.5 years body structure
- tibiofemoral angle now is valgus
- femoral anteversion decreasing
- COM is closer to the LE
- calcaneal eversion is decreasing
3-3.5 years postural reactions
-refine balance reactions
-visual and vestibular systems are not mature yet
3-3.5 years gait characteristics
-narrow BOS
-still immature
-velocity is proportional to height
-true heel-toe gait pattern
At what age is your gait pattern fully mature?
7 years old
