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Gait Cycle
Mark Karadsheh
Overview
One gait cycle is measured from heelstrike to heelstrike
consists of
stance phase
period of time that the foot is on the ground
~60% of one gait cycle is spent in stance
during stance, the leg accepts body weight and provides single limb
support
swing phase
period of time that the foot is off the ground moving forward
~40% of one gait cycle is spent in swing
the limb advances
Stride
is the distance between consecutive inital contacts of the same foot with the ground
Step
is the distance between initial contacts of the alternating feet
Stance Phase
Initial contact (heel strike)
definition
occurs when foot contacts the ground
muscular contractions
hip extensors contract to stabilize the hip
quadriceps contract eccentrically
tibialis anterior contracts eccentrically
Loading response (initial double limb support)
marks the beginning of the initial double limb stance
definition
occurs after initial contact until elevation of opposite limb
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bodyweight is transferred on to the supporting limb
muscular contractions SEARCH
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ankle dorsiflexors (tibialis anterior) contract eccentrically to control plantar
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Foot & Ankle flexion moment
quads contract to stabilize knee and counteract the flexion moment (about the
knee)
Midstance (single limb support)
initial period of single leg support
definition
from elevation of opposite limb until both ankles are aligned in coronal plane
muscular contractions
hip extensors and quads undergo concentric contraction
Terminal stance (single limb support)
definition
begins when the supporting heel rises from the ground and continues until the
opposite heel touches the ground
muscular contractions
toe flexors and tibialis posterior contract and are the most active during this
phase
Preswing (second double limb support)
is the start of the second double limb stance in the gait cycle
definition
from initial contact of opposite limb to just prior to elevation of ipsilateral limb
muscular contractions
hip flexors contract to propel advancing limb
Swing Phase
Initial swing (toe off)
start of single limb support for opposite limb
definition
from elevation of limb to point of maximal knee flexion
muscular contractions
hip flexors concentrically contract to advance the swinging leg
Midswing (foot clearance)
definition
following knee flexion to point where tibia is vertical
muscular contractions
ankle dorsiflexors contract to ensure foot clearance
Terminal swing (tibia vertical)
definition
from point where tibia is vertical to just prior to initial contact
muscular contractions
hamstring muscles decelerate forward motion of thigh
Variables Affected During Gait Cycle
Pelvic rotation
pelvis rotates 4 degrees medially (anteriorly) on swing side
lengthens the limb as it prepares to accept weight
Pelvic tilt
pelvis drops 4 degrees on swing side
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lowers COG at midstance
Knee flexion in stance SEARCH JOIN NOW LOGIN
early knee flexion (15 degrees) at heel strike
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Foot & Ankle lowers COG, decreasing energy expenditure
also absorbs shock of heel strike
Foot mechanisms
ankle plantar flexion at heel strike and first part of stance
Knee mechanisms
at midstance, the knee extends as the ankle plantar flexes and foot supinates
restores leg to original length
reduces fall of pelvis at opposite heel strike
Lateral displacement of pelvis
pelvis shifts over stance limb
COG must lie over base of support (stance limb)
Center of gravity (COG)
in standing position is 5cm anterior to S2 vertebral body
vertical displacement
during gait cycle COG displaces vertically in a rhythmic pattern
the highest point is during midstance phase
lowest point occurs at the time of double limb support
horizontal displacement
COG displaces 5cm horizontally during adult male step
Muscle Activity
Figure showing muscle activity through different phases of gait cycle
Please rate topic. Average 3.6 of 42 Ratings
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