2.

BIOMECHANICS OF WALKING AND REQUIRED PARAMETERS

2.1 Biomechanics: Biomechanics is the study of the structure and function of biological systems such as humans, animals, plants, organs, and cells by means of the methods of mechanics.

2.1.1 Locomotion vs. Ambulation Locomotion The act or power of moving the body from place to place by means of one's own mechanisms or power. Ambulation One type of locomotion, which is characterized by moving the body on the level surface.

2.1.2 GAIT CYCLE Gait The style of walking. Gait cycle A fundamental unit to describe the gait during ambulation, which occurs from the time when the heel of one foot strikes the ground to the time at which the same foot contacts the ground again. Two phases within a gait cycle 1. Stance phase (62%) 2. Swing phase (38%) A typical gait cycle lasts for 1-2 sec, depending on speed.
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Figure 7 - Phases of gait cycle For normal human being it will be 1.5 seconds. 2.1.3 STANCE (SUPPORT) PHASE Stance phase The duration when the foot in contact with the ground (heel strike and toe off). Three periods within a stance phase 1. Initial contact period from heel strike to foot flat 2. Midstance period from foot flat to heel off 3. Propulsive period from heel off to toe off

Figure 8 - Periods Within a typical Stance Phase

2.1.4 SWING (RECOVERY) PHASE Swing phase The duration when the foot in the air (toe off heel strike). Three periods within a swing phase 1. Acceleration 2. Missing 3. Deceleration

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2.2 Different terminology used to describe the gait cycle Some traditional-used terms for description of gait does not appear in the pathological gait so that Perry in 1992 developed a system of gait terminology for both normal and pathological gaits. Table 1 Traditional Terminology Heel strike Foot flat Stance phase Midstance Heel off Toe off Acceleration Swing phase Midswing Deceleration

Phase

Rancho Los Amigos Medical Center

Initial contact Loading response Midstance Terminal stance Preswing Initial awing Midswing Terminal swing

2.2.1 STRIDE VS. STEP Stride From heel strike of one foot to the next heel strike of the same foot Synonymous with a gait cycle. Step From heel strike of one foot to the heel strike of the opposite foot. gait cycle = 2 steps
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1 stride = 1

Figure 9 - step Vs Stride 2.2.2 Double support phase One of characteristics to distinguish walking from running. No double support phases during running. Double support phase part of the stance phase, which is characterized by both feet in contact with the ground simultaneously. The propulsive period of one leg overlaps the initial contact period of the other leg. Two double support periods during one gait cycle. Totally ~ 22% within a gait cycle in a comfortable speed.

Figure 10 - Two Double Support Phases

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2.3 PARAMETERS THAT DESCRIBE GAIT PATTERNS 2.3.1 TEMPORAL (TIME) PARAMETERS Table 2 Parameter Stride time SI unit Definition Sec Significance

The duration for the completion Slightly > 1 sec of a full gait cycle

Step time

Sec

The duration for the completion = of a right or left step

the

reciprocal

of

cadence for a symmetric gait

Stance time

sec %

The duration when the foot is on 62% of one gait cycle the ground during one gait cycle The duration when only one foot is on the ground during one gait cycle

Single time

support sec %

Double time

support sec %

The duration when both feet are ~22% of one gait cycle in contact with the ground as walking speed in the

simultaneously during one gait elderly cycle in patients with balanced disorders Swing time sec % The duration when the foot is in 38% of one gait cycle the air during one gait cycle as walking speed

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2.3.2 Spatial (Distance) parameters (Table 3) Parameter Stride length SI unit Definition Cm Significance

Distance between two successive Walking speed heel contacts of the same foot

Step length

cm

Distance between two successive heel contacts of the opposite feet

Step width

cm

Lateral distance between both 7-9 cm in healthy adults heel centers of 2 consecutive foot contacts

Foot

angle Degree Angle

between

the

line

of 7 in healthy adults

(degree of toeout)

progression of the body and the longitudinal axis of the foot

2.3.4 Speed parameters (Table 4) Parameter Cadence rate) (step SI unit Definition Significance

Number of steps per Comfortable speed 80-110 minute steps/min Slow speed<70 steps/min Fast speed >120 steps/min

Walking speed

M/s mph (m/hr.)

Distance per unit of time Speed in duration of all the component phases, especially double support phase As a cadence stride length or both As an angle of toe out or limb length

Comfortable speed defined by Inman et al. (1981)

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Male 105-125 steps/min Female100-120 steps/min 2.4 Force distribution on legs while walking

Figure 11 - Force Distribution On leg While Walking Representing ground reaction force as a function of time for walking (1.25 m/s) in human. The dashed line represents the stance phase of the right foot and the solid line represents the stance phase of the left foot. (A) Vertical component. (B) Horizontal component. In both parts, the ground reaction force is expressed as a multiple of bodyweight.
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2.5 Force distribution on legs while running

Figure 12 -Force Distribution on Leg While Running Representing ground reaction force as a function of time for running (3.8 m/s) in human. The dashed line represents the stance phase of the right foot and the solid line represents the stance phase of the left foot. (A) Vertical component. (B) Horizontal component. In both parts, the ground reaction force is expressed as a multiple of bodyweight.

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2.6 Ground Reaction Force

The distinct difference between walking and running gaits is apparent in the ground reaction force patterns for the two gaits. In human walking, there is always at least one foot in contact with the ground, and there are short phases of double support when both feet are in contact with the ground In contrast, running is a series of bouncing impacts with the ground that are usually alternated with aerial phases when neither foot is in contact with the ground. This difference leads to a substantidy higher magnitude vertical component of the ground reaction force for running as compared to walking. The pattern of the horizontal component of the ground reaction force is similar, however, for both walking and running. In the first half of the stance phase, the horizontal ground reaction Force is negative, indicating that it is pushing backwards on the person. In the second half of the stance phase, the horizontal ground reaction force is positive, pushing forward on the person. The ground reaction force pattern for walking and running gaits is similar in humans and in a wide variety of other animals with a range body shapes, body masses, and numbers of legs.

Geometry of walking ( three positions of leg)

Figure-13 Geometry Of Walking

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Striking positions of shoe

Figure -14 Striking Positions Of Shoe

Load acting on shoes while running (2.5 times greater than walking)

Figure 15 Load acting On Shoes

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