Typically developing Gait

Question 1

What is the definition of a gait cycle?

Answer 1

A single stride starting when one foot strikes the ground and ends when the same foot strikes the ground again.

Question 2

What are the two phases of the gait cycle?

Answer 2

• Swing: Foot in the air.
• Stance: Foot in contact with the ground.

Question 3

What are the basic tasks of walking?

Answer 3

Weight acceptance, Single-limb support, Limb advancement.

Question 4

What are the five subphases of stance in the gait cycle?

Answer 4

Initial contact, Loading response, Midstance, Terminal stance, Preswing.

Question 5

What are the three subphases of swing in the gait cycle?

Answer 5

Initial swing, Midswing, Terminal swing.

Question 6

.

Answer 6

.

Question 7

What prerequisites are needed for these walking attributes to develop?

Answer 7

Adequate motor control, CNS maturation, Adequate ROM and strength, Proper bone structure, Intact sensation, Muscle activation for pelvic stabilization.

Question 8

What are the key neurological factors in gait development?

Answer 8

CPG circuits, neural foundations for locomotion established during embryogenesis, postnatal brain growth and myelination between 3-10 months.

Question 9

What are the key biomechanical factors influencing gait?

Answer 9

ROM, Strength, Bone structure/composition, Body composition. Constraints in these areas affect muscle activity and joint kinematics.

Question 10

What are the characteristics of mature walking?

Answer 10

Age 3 and older. 5 determinants: Duration of single-leg stance, Walking velocity, Cadence, Step length, Ratio of pelvic span to ankle spread.

Question 11

What are the characteristics of immature walking?

Answer 11

Age 2.5 and younger. Decreased postural stability, Decreased single-leg stance time, Cadence rapidly decreases between ages 1-2.

Question 12

What are the stages of lower extremity skeletal alignment during development?

Answer 12

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.

Question 13

Birth - 3 months developmental gait

Answer 13

• crossed feet
• reciprocal kicking
• foot to foot contact (sensory receptors)

Question 14

4-6 months developmental gait

Answer 14

• abd hips, ext knees
• BOS initially narrow, moving wider closer to 6 months
• plantigrade feet with full contact in WB

Question 15

Birth - 9 months

Answer 15

• 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

Question 16

9 - 12 months developmental gait

Answer 16

• increasing WB through LE
• crusing on surfaces (tippy toes but comes back to flat feet)

Question 17

9 - 15 month walking factors

Answer 17

• 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

Question 18

9 - 15 months gait characteristics

Answer 18

• wide BOS
• increased hip and knee flexion
• plantarflexion at IC
• short stride
• foot drop during swing

Question 19

18 - 24 months body structure

Answer 19

• genu varus resolved and LE are straight
• decreased hip abd and flexion
• calcaneal eversion remains

Question 20

18- 24 months gait characteristics

Answer 20

• 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

Question 21

3 - 3.5 years body structure

Answer 21

• tibiofemoral angle now is valgus
• femoral anteversion decreasing
• COM is closer to the LE
• calcaneal eversion is decreasing

Question 22

3-3.5 years postural reactions

Answer 22

-refine balance reactions
-visual and vestibular systems are not mature yet

Question 23

3-3.5 years gait characteristics

Answer 23

-narrow BOS
-still immature
-velocity is proportional to height
-true heel-toe gait pattern

Question 24

At what age is your gait pattern fully mature?

Answer 24

7 years old

Question 25

6-7 year postural control

Answer 25

-advanced motor activities
-quick responses after LOB
-visual, vestibular, and proprioceptive systems become more coordinated

Question 26

6 - 7 year old body structure

Answer 26

• tibiofemoral angle is neutral
• femoral anteversion is mostly resolved
• calcaneus is neutral by age 7

Question 27

when does your visual, vestibular and proprioceptive systems become fully matured?

Answer 27

-age 10-12 years

Question 28

6-7 years postural control

Answer 28

-advanced motor activities
-quick response after LOB
-visual, vestibular and proprioceptive systems become more coordinated