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Gait Flashcards

1
Q

What are all of the temporal variables

A
  • Stance Time
  • Single-limb support time
  • Double-limb support time
  • Swing time
  • Stride and step time
  • Cadence
  • Speed
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2
Q

What are all of the Distance Variables

A
  • Stride length
  • Step length
  • Step width
  • Degree of toe out
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3
Q

What is step length?

A

Distance between 2 successive points of contact of opposite extremities

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4
Q

What is stride length?

A
  • Distance between 2 successive events accomplished by the SAME LE during gait

One stride includes all the events of ONE gait cycle

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5
Q

What is step width?

A
  • Linear distance between midpoint of heel of one foot and same point on other foot

(Avg width: 3.5in. Varies w/in range of 1-5in)

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6
Q

What is Degree of toe out?

A

AKA Fick angle

  • Angle formed by each foot’s line of progression and line intersecting center of heel and the 2nd toe
    Normal range: 5-18 degrees
    Avg: ~7 degrees

Angle decreases as walking speed increases

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7
Q

What is cadence?

A

Number of steps taken by a person per unit of time

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8
Q

What is Gait speed/velocity?

A
  • Rate of linear motion of the body
  • Measured in m/min, m/s, mph
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9
Q

What is the difference between men and women’s speed/velocity, stride length, and cadence?

A
  • Men have a higher speed/velocity and stride length than females
    -> Usually accounts for greater height in males: longer legs -> longer stride length
  • Women have greater cadence (steps/min)
    -> Usually due to shorter legs -> need to take more steps despite walking the same speed
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10
Q

What happens during Initial Contact (IC)

A

Moment when foot contacts the ground (usually the heel)

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11
Q

What happens during Loading Response (LR)

A

Weight is rapidly transferred onto outstretched limb; 1st period of double limb stance
(Planting full foot on ground)

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12
Q

What happens during Mid Stance (MSt)

A

Body progresses over a single, stable limb

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13
Q

What happens during Terminal Stance (TSt)

A

Progression over stance limb continues as body moves ahead of limb and weight transfers onto forefoot
(Metatarsal break)

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14
Q

What happens during Pre-Swing (PSw)

A

Rapid unloading of limb occurs as weight transfers to contralateral limb; 2nd period of double limb support
(Foot on toes is about to come off the ground)

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15
Q

What happens during Initial Swing (ISw)

A

Thigh begins to advance as foot comes up off floor

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16
Q

What happens during Mid Swing (MSw)

A

Thigh continues to advance as knee begins to extend and foot clears the ground

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17
Q

What happens during Terminal Swing (TSw)

A

Knee extends; limb prepares to contact the ground for Initial Contact
(About to plant the heel)

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18
Q

What phases are part of Weight Acceptance (WA) and what happens ?

A

Initial Contact and Loading Response

  • Weight is loaded onto outstretched limb
  • Impact of GRF is absorbed; body progresses forward while maintaining stability
  • Both feet are in contact w/ ground (double limb stance)

Key actions
- Forward Progression
- Stability
- Shock absorption

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19
Q

What phases are part of Single Limb Support (SLS) and what happens?

A

Mid Stance and Terminal Stance

  • Period when body progresses over a SINGLE, stable limb
  • Weight is being transferred onto metatarsal heads and heel comes off ground

Key actions
- Stability
- Forward progression

20
Q

What phases are part of Swing Limb Advancement (SLA) and what happens?

A

Pre Swing, Initial Swing, Mid Swing, Terminal Swing

  • Time when limb is unloaded and foot is off the ground
  • Limb is moved from behind the body, to in front of the body in preparation for next step

Key actions
- Foot clearance
- Limb advancement

21
Q

Ankle: ROM, Muscle Action, and Functional Significance: Initial Contact

A

ROM: Ankle in neutral (0 degrees)

Muscle Action
- Dorsiflexors maintain foot position for LR (stabilizing)

Functional Significance
- Foot is correctly positioned for heel rocker action at LR

22
Q

Ankle: ROM, Muscle Action, and Functional Significance: Loading Response

A

ROM: 5 degrees of PF

Muscle Action
- Dorsiflexors act ECCENTRICALLY in response to PF torque (foot loading from heel to toes -> DF working eccentrically)
- Tibialis Anterior activity PEAKS
- Soleus and gastroc becomes active in late LR to CONTROL tibial advancement

Functional Significance
- Heel rocker action is created
- Dorsiflexors pull tibia forward creating forward momentum and initiating knee flexion

23
Q

Ankle: ROM, Muscle Action, and Functional Significance: Mid Stance

A

ROM: 5 degrees DF

Muscle Action
- Gastroc and Soleus act eccentrically to control forward progression of tibia

Functional Significance
- Body progresses forward over stable foot and tibia
- calf muscle activity contributes to knee stability
- forward momentum is maintained as ankle moves into DF (ankle rocker)

24
Q

Ankle: ROM, Muscle Action, and Functional Significance: Terminal Stance

A

ROM: 10 degrees ankle DF, 30 degrees extension @ MTP jts

Muscle Action
- Calf muscle activity PEAKS (working eccentrically) to prevent forward tibial collapse and to allow heel to raise off ground

Functional Significance
- Calf muscles control ankle DF and allow heel to rise (forefoot rocker) contributing to contralateral step length

25
Ankle: ROM, Muscle Action, and Functional Significance: Pre-Swing
ROM: 15 degrees ankle PF, 60 degrees extension @ MTP jts Muscle Action - Calf muscle activity STOPS - DF muscle activity initiated in prep for DF Functional Significance - Forefoot remains on floor for balance - PF of partially unweighted foot assists w/ knee flexion
26
Ankle: ROM, Muscle Action, and Functional Significance: Initial Swing
ROM: 5 degrees ankle PF Muscle Action - Dorsiflexors initiate DF (act concentrically) - EHL and EDL PEAK in activity Functional Significance - DF begins for clearance of floor
27
Ankle: ROM, Muscle Action, and Functional Significance: Mid Swing
ROM: Ankle dorsiflexes to neutral (0 degrees) Muscle Action - Dorsiflexor muscles are active (activity is initially concentric and transitions to isometric by late mid swing) Functional Significance - Foot clears the ground (~1 cm off floor)
28
Ankle: ROM, Muscle Action, and Functional Significance: Terminal Swing
ROM: Remains neutral (0 degrees) Muscle Action - Dorsiflexors are active to stabilize/maintain ankle position Functional Significance - Neutral position assures heel contact at initial contact
29
Knee: ROM, Muscle Action, and Functional Significance: Initial Contact
ROM: 5 degrees knee flexion Muscle Action - Quads contract in prep for LR (stabilizing the knee) - Hamstrings act to counteract brief extension torque Functional Significance - At initial contact, the extension torque stabilizes the knee
30
Knee: ROM, Muscle Action, and Functional Significance: Loading Response
ROM: 15 degrees knee flexion Muscle Action - Quad activity PEAKS (working eccentrically) - Diminishing hamstring activity primarily contributes to maintaining hip position Functional Significance - Shock is absorbed and limb stability is maintained
31
Knee: ROM, Muscle Action, and Functional Significance: Mid Stance
ROM: 5 degrees knee flexion Muscle Action - Quads stabilize knee until knee extension torque begins (initially concentric quad activity as knee extends; then decreases to no significant muscle activity at knee) - Calf muscles indirectly stabilize knee Functional Significance - Knee stability is maintained
32
Knee: ROM, Muscle Action, and Functional Significance: Terminal Stance
ROM: 5 degrees knee flexion Muscle Action - NO significant knee extensor activity - Restraint of tibia by calf muscles continues to stabilize knee - Biceps femoris activity may be present to prevent Hyperextension Functional Significance - Joint stability is maintained as forward progression continues
33
Knee: ROM, Muscle Action, and Functional Significance: Pre Swing
ROM: Knee rapidly flexes to 40 degrees Muscle Action - Minimal knee flexor activity Functional Significance - Knee flexion of this phase contributes greatly to that needed for LIMB CLEARANCE
34
Knee: ROM, Muscle Action, and Functional Significance: Initial Swing
ROM: 60 degrees knee flexion Muscle Action - Biceps femoris, Sartorius, and gracilis activity PEAKS (knee flexors working concentrically) - knee flexion aided by hip flexion Functional Significance - Foot clears the floor as thigh advances
35
Knee: ROM, Muscle Action, and Functional Significance: Mid Swing
ROM: 25 degrees knee flexion; tibia achieves vertical position Muscle Action - Knee extension is created by forward momentum and gravity - Hamstrings become active in late mid swing to decelerate leg (Knee flexors act eccentrically in late mid swing to CONTROL rate of knee extension) Functional Significance - Initiates knee extension needed for step length
36
Knee: ROM, Muscle Action, and Functional Significance: Terminal Swing
ROM: Knee extends to neutral (0 degrees) AND THEN may flex to 5 degrees Muscle Action - Quads work CONCENTRICALLY to insure full knee extension Functional Significance - Step length is optimized
37
Hip and Pelvis: ROM, Muscle Action, and Functional Significance:
ROM: 20 degrees hip flexion (maintained from terminal swing), pelvis is in 5 degrees of forward rotation in transverse plane Muscle Action - All hip extensors are active for stabilizing (primarily glute max and adductor magnus) Functional Significance - Hip and pelvis are in position of forward “reach” to prep for progression forward
38
Hip and Pelvis: ROM, Muscle Action, and Functional Significance: Loading Response
ROM: 20 degrees hip flexion Muscle Action - Glute max, adductor magnus, and hamstrings are active to counteract flexion torque (GRF wants to flex the hip) - Activity of posterior TFL, glute med, and glute min and upper fibers of glute max PEAK (to prevent hip drop) Functional Significance - Hip jt is stable during shock absorption - Trunk flexion is prevented and pelvis/thigh is stable
39
Hip and Pelvis: ROM, Muscle Action, and Functional Significance: Mid Stance
ROM: Thigh extends to neutral (0 degrees), pelvis rotates back to neutral in TRANSVERSE PLANE Muscle Action - No hip muscle activity required in SAGITTAL plane - ABDUCTORS work to maintain pelvic stability in frontal plane (preventing any hip drop) Functional Significance - Stable jt position is achieved in sagittal plane w/out demand of hip extensors - Pelvis is stabilized to prevent a contralateral drop
40
Hip and Pelvis: ROM, Muscle Action, and Functional Significance: Terminal Stance
ROM: Thigh extends to 20 degrees Hyperextension, anterior tilt and 5 degrees backward rotation of pelvis contribute to Hyperextension Muscle Action - Activity of posterior fibers of TFL stops as anterior fibers become active (possible to restrain Hyperextension) Functional Significance - Body is allowed to advance past the foot to maximize step length
41
Hip and Pelvis: ROM, Muscle Action, and Functional Significance: Pre Swing
ROM: 10 degrees apparent Hyperextension, pelvis remains in 5 degrees backward rotation Muscle Action - Adductor longus activity (working concentrically) dynamically contributes to femur flexing forward (Adductors flex extended hip) and variable contraction of Rectus femoris occurs Functional Significance - Limb advancement begins - hip flexion motion contributes to knee flexion
42
Hip and Pelvis: ROM, Muscle Action, and Functional Significance: Initial Swing
ROM: 15 degrees hip flexion, pelvis remains in backward rotation Muscle Action - Iliacus, gracilis, and Sartorius PEAK in activity level (acting concentrically) - Adductor longus is also active Functional Significance - Limb advancement continues
43
Hip and Pelvis: ROM, Muscle Action, and Functional Significance: Mid Swing
ROM: 25 degrees hip flexion, pelvis rotates forward to neutral in TRANSVERSE PLANE Muscle Action - Flexor activity initially (concentric) - Then hamstrings act in late mid swing eccentrically to slow the limb Functional Significance - Thigh advancement slows - Momentum from the swinging limb helps progress the body past the stance limb
44
Hip and Pelvis: ROM, Muscle Action, and Functional Significance: Terminal Swing
ROM: 20 degrees hip flexion, pelvis rotates forward 5 degrees Muscle Action - Hamstring activity PEAKS as they decelerate the leg (leg wants to swing off) - Adductor magnus, glute max, glute med, and TFL initiate activity in prep for weight acceptance Functional Significance - Limb is positioned for a heel first initial contact - Forward rotation of the pelvis contributes to step length
45
What role do trunk muscles play during gait
Abdominals - Internal Obliques and External Obliques are active a low levels throughout gait cycle - Rectus Abdominis activation may occur during mid and terminal swing Extensors - Bilateral deep trunk extensors and rotators activate to stabilize trunk during LR - Ipsilateral erector spinae are active during pre swing *Trunk extensors and abdominals stabilize the trunk in all planes* Trunk rotates ~5 degrees in transverse plane - Trunk rotation creates arm swing - Trunk rotates in opposite direction of pelvis -> produces reciprocal arm swing Extensors

Movement Science (10 decks)

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