The gait cycle

Question 1

What are the stages of walking

Answer 1

Heel-strike-foot hits the ground heel first
Support-after the heel strike stage the rest of the leading foot hits the ground
Toe-off-In the toe off phase the foot prepares to leave the ground heel first, toe last
Leg lift-one the foot has left the ground the lower leg is raised
Swing-raised leg propelled forward

Question 2

What muscles are active during the heel strike stage?

Answer 2

Gluteus maximus- acts on the hip to decelrate the forward motion of the lower limb
Quadrieps femoris- keeps the leg extended at the knee and the thigh flexed at the hip

Question 3

What muscles are active during the support stage?

Answer 3

Quadriceps femoris- keeps thigh extended
Inverters adnd everters- stabilsie foot
Gluteus minimus, medius and tensor fascia lata- abduct lowerlimb, keeps pelvis level

Question 4

What muscles are active during the toe off stage?

Answer 4

Hamstrings- extends the thigh at the hip
Quadriceps femoris- maintains extended position of the knee
Posterior compartment of the leg- plantarflexes the ankle, prime movers include gastrocnemius, soleus and tibialis posterior

Question 5

What muscles are active during the leg lift stage?

Answer 5

ilipsoas and recus femoris- flexes thigh atht he hip drives the knee forward
hamstring muscles- flexes the leg at the knee joint
Anterior compartment of the leg-dorsifelxes the ankle

Question 6

What muscles are active during the swing stage?

Answer 6

Quadriceps femoris- extends leg at knee
Anterior compartment of leg- maintains dorsiflexion
iliposas and rectus femoris- keeps thight flexed at hip