Gait Theory & Spatial Temporal Parameters

Question 1

Two Theories of Gait

Answer 1

1. Six determinants of gait (1950’s)
2. Inverted pendulum (2007)

They both theorize the energy cost of gait.

Question 2

What is the Six Determinates of Gait Theory and what does it hypothesize?

Answer 2

• follows the kinematic theory
• Saunders hypothesized that six major gait features were the important factors in reducing work expenditure during gait
• six actions of the pelvis, hip, knee, and ankle

Question 3

What is the definition of Gait Kinematics?

Answer 3

study of the motion of mechanical point of joints during upright mobility, it classifies two major phases

Question 4

Six Determinates of Gait Actions and Planes

Answer 4

Sagittal Plane
-hip and knee flexion
-knee and ankle flexion

Transverse/Horizontal Plane
-pelvic rotation

Frontal Plane
-lateral pelvic tilt

Question 5

What does gait kinematics involve?

Answer 5

1. Extent of joint movement (ROM)
2. Speed (velocity of book and limbs
3. Direction (joint motion: flex, ext)

Question 6

What are the two major phases in gait?

Answer 6

-Stance phase 60%
- Swing phase 40%

Question 7

What is the inverted pendulum theory and what does it state?

Answer 7

-States that the stance leg is kept relatively straight during single support, functioning like an inverted pendulum
- COM, is located near the hip and travels in a series of arcs prescribed by each single support phase
- limb travels like a pendulum, thus not requiring much energy

Question 8

Which muscle acts as a propeller to initiate push off?

Answer 8

The gastroc generates force to push off and initiate free flight

Question 9

Why are the two theories of gait important?

Answer 9

They are used to understand the mechanism of energy costs and are beneficial in gait training, making walking more cost effective.

Question 10

How is gait measured?

Answer 10

Gait is measured by
- meters/second
- age
-sex
- level of community access

Question 11

Functional ambulatory terms w/ or w/o device

Answer 11

• safely cross the street (1.3 m/s)
• community ambulation
• limited community ambulator
• household ambulator
• dependent ambulator (requires assistance of a person)

Question 12

What terms can be used for a person’s normal comfortable speed of gait?

Answer 12

May be referred to as preferred, natural, self-selected, or free gait.

When assessing gait note that the gait is self selected or preferred gait speed. Slow and fast speeds compared to the person’s normal comfortable walking speed

Question 13

What walking speed predicts the best outcome?

Answer 13

> 1.0 m/s

Question 14

What walking speed suggests an increase if fall risk?

Answer 14

< 0.7 m/s

Question 15

How can you practice measuring gait velocity?

Answer 15

10- meter walk test, 2 trials, determine average speed

Question 16

What is stance phase?

Answer 16

During walking cycle, a given foot is in contact with the the ground, heel strike to toe off 60%

Question 17

Swing phase

Answer 17

during the walking cycle, a given foot is in not in contact with ground, 40%

Question 18

Stance phase is broken up into ____% for the entire phase and _____% for double support. Swing phase is _____%.

Answer 18

• 60%; 20%
• 40%

Question 19

What is double support?

Answer 19

There are two periods of double support occurring between the time one limb makes initial contact and the other one leaves the floor at toe off.

Question 20

Gait spatial and temporal parameters: foundational

Answer 20

step and stride length (spatial), step and stride length are equal bilaterally

Question 21

Stride length

Answer 21

-is the typical measure used in gait analysis
-calcaneus to ipsilateral calcaneus

Question 22

Gait Cycle

Answer 22

right initial contact to right initial contact

Question 23

Step length

Answer 23

calcaneus to contralateral calcaneus

Question 24

Step width

Answer 24

mid point of calcaneus to mid point of calcaneus

Question 25

Foot angle

Answer 25

amount of eversion or inversion when steps are taken
angle of foot affects, push off and step length

Question 26

What is a foundational measure?

Answer 26

step and stride length are critical measures in PT
the longer your step or stride the more ground is covered, increasing your speed

Question 27

What are the determinates of stride length?

Answer 27

age
height
gender
injury/illness

Question 28

What is cadence and what is the normative value?

Answer 28

The number of steps per minute
Normal cadence: 80-90 steps per minute in adults

Question 29

What is the normative value for gait velocity?

Answer 29

1.2-1.4 m/s for adults

Question 30

What are some clinical applications of gait velocity, stride length, and level of community ambulation?

Answer 30

Gait velocity: determines discharge preferences, intervention outcomes
Stride length: injuries (orthopedics), neurologic clients

Question 31

How to calculate gait velocity?

Answer 31

gait velocity= cadence x stride length
Unit of measurement: m/s

Question 32

How does short and long step lengths affect cadence?

Answer 32

A shorter step length will result in an increased cadence at any given velocity.
A longer step length will result in a decreased cadence at any given velocity.