GAIT ANALYSIS

NORMAL GAIT

Series of rythmical, alternating movements of the limbs, pelvis and spine withc results in the forward progression of the center of gravity.

GAIT

Walking

Feet overlap, so one foot lands before the other takes off One foot takes off before the other lands a flight phase

Running

GAIT CYCLE

Begins when the foot contacts the floor and ends with subsequent floor contact of the same foot.
Two Major Components
Stance phase Swing phase

Temporal Measures
Stance Swing Double Support

Velocity Cadence

8 Phases of the Gait Cycle

Stance
Initial Contace IC (heel strike) Loading Response, LR (first double supports, till body CG over foot)(flat foot) Mid-stance, MSt(from contralateral Toe-off) Terminal Stance, TS(Till contralateral contact)(Heel-off) Pre-swing, PSw(push-off)(toe-off)

8 Phases of the Gait Cycle (cont)

Swing
Initial swing, Isw (till maximum knee flexion)(acceleration) Mid-swing, MSw (till shank viertical) Terminal swing, TSw (till next contact)(deceleration)

Kinetic Chain

Closed Kinetic Chain

Distal extremity is weight bearing or fixed Movement at the distal joint influences movement at proximal joint(s)

Open Kinetic Chain

Distal extremity in non-weight bearing or not fixed Movement of proximal joint influences movement at distal joint(s)

Role of the Muscles

Stance body is maintained upright by anti-gravity muscles

Closed Chain
Hip Extensors Knee Extensors Ankle Plantarflexors

Roles of the Muscles

Swing leg swings forward ahead of the rest of the body Open Chain
Ankle plantar flexors Hip flexors (ilio-psoas) Hamstrings

Determinants of gait
Pelvic rotation Pelvic list Stance phase knee flexion Lateral trunk shift Vertical oscillation

WEIGHT BEARING FORCES ON THE FOOT

Path of the Center of Gravity

Examination of Gait
Begins

as soon as the athlete enters the room

Distance Measures

Step Length

Stride Length

10 Aspects to Look For

ASSESS ALL PHASES

Stance
Provides support of the body weight during forward movements as the lower extremity is in a closed kinetic chain. This allows forces to be transmitted proximally from the trunk or distally from the ground. Abnormal biomechanics cause abnormal distributions. This increases stress on the tissues potentially causing overuse injuries

ASSESS ALL PHASES

STANCE

Heel Strike
Heel spurs Knee pain

Flat Foot

Slap

ASSESS ALL PHASES

Stance

Midstance
Uneven weight distribution Quad contracted Weak gluteus medius muscle Weak gluteus maximus muscle

Push-off

ASSESS ALL PHASES

Swing
Acceleration Midswing

ASSESS FOOT WEAR

Dysfunctional Gait Patterns

Antalgic Gait

Painful gait Trendelenberg Gait

Gluteus Medius Lurch

Drop Foot Stiff Knee Short Leg Gait

Short leg supinates Long leg pronates