Gait Analysis and Priorities

Gait Analysis Definition

• Gait analysis is a series of rhythmical and alternating movements of the trunk and limbs that result in forward progression of the Center of Gravity (COG) and the body.

Priorities of Normal Gait

• Stability of the weight-bearing foot throughout the stance period.
• Clearance of the non-weight-bearing foot during the swing period.
• Appropriate pre-positioning of the foot for the next gait cycle.
• Adequate step length.
• Energy conservation.

Elements of Gait Analysis

• Limb position.
• Range of Motion (ROM).
• Speed of Motion.
• Force Production.
• Timing of each event in the gait cycle.

Phases of Gait Cycle

• Stance Phase (~60% of cycle).
• Swing Phase (~40% of cycle).

Factors Affecting Gait

• Muscle strength.
• Body type.
• Gender.
• Joint ROM.
• Incline of surface.
• Surface type.
• Footwear.

Stance Phase

• Occurs when the foot is in contact with the floor and the extremity is bearing partial or total body weight.
• Double limb support is seen during the last 10% of the stance phase.

Heel Strike

• Foot: Supinated at subtalar.
• Ankle: Dorsiflexed.
• Knee: Flexed.
• Hip: Flexed.

Loading Response

• Limb reacts to absorbing the impact of body weight by initiating flattening of the foot.
• Talocrural joint: Plantarflexion.
• Subtalar joint: Pronation.
• Calcaneal eversion.
• Tibial internal rotation.
• Tibialis post: Eccentric contraction (decreases rate of deceleration of pronation).
• Tibialis ant: Eccentric contraction (decreases rate of plantarflexion).
• Hip maintains flexed position.

Swing Phase

• Divided into three phases: Early/Initial Phase, Mid Phase, and Late/Terminal Phase.

Gait Parameters

• Stride Length: Distance from heel strike of one foot to heel strike of the same foot in one gait cycle.
• Step Length: Distance from heel strike of one foot to heel strike of the other foot in one gait cycle.
• Stride Width: Distance between the midline of one foot at mid-stance and the midline of the other foot at mid-stance.

Normal Gait Values

• Cadence: ~107 steps/min.
• Step or Stride Length: 75 cm.
• Speed of Walking: 90-120 steps/minute.
• ROM Requirements:
  • Hip Flex: 0-30.
  • Hip Ext: 0-10.
  • Knee Flex: 0-60.
  • Knee Ext: 0.
  • Ankle DF: 0-10.
  • Ankle PF: 0-20.

Understand the definition of gait analysis and the 5 priorities of normal gait, including stability, clearance, pre-positioning, step length, and energy conservation.