Gait Analysis Overview and Phases

Gait Analysis Overview

• Gait is a multi-layered story, involving many body segments and planes.
• Most movement occurs in the sagittal plane, focusing on flexion and extension.
• Understanding gait terminology is crucial for further analysis.
• Gait analysis provides a foundation for future video assignments.

Introduction to Gait Analysis

• Repeated falling with intention (as a learning tool).
• Swing and stance phases (40% and 60%, respectively).
• Phases of double and single limb support are assessed.
• Identify events defining distinct phases (e.g., loading, mid-stance, terminal stance, pre-swing etc.).

Gait Cycle Phases (Right Foot)

• Loading (LOAD): Initial Contact (IC), Opposite Toe Off (OTO). Stance begins when right heel contacts the ground.
• Mid-stance (MST): Takes up 40% of the gait cycle. Left toe off, right heel rise (HR).
• Terminal Stance (TST): Opposite Initial Contact (OIC), Toe Off (TO). Right toe off, left foot makes initial contact.
• Pre-swing (PSW): Initiate preparation for swing by loading the left limb.

Loading Phase Details

• Movement transitions from a double support phase to single support phase.
• Rear leg transfers weight to the front leg during the initial contact.
• This phase focuses on absorbing impact from the step/swing, steadily preparing to support the body weight.

Mid-stance Phase Details

• The opposite leg is not touching the ground during this single support phase.
• The center of mass (COM) travels forward (anterior) over the fixed support foot.

Terminal Stance Phase Details

• The center of mass (COM) moves forward beyond the forefoot leading into opposite initial contact.
• The phase leads into the opposite leg engaging in the gait cycle.

Pre-swing Phase Details

• The phase is preparation for the swing phase.
• The body loads up the left limb, unloads the right limb, and transfers weight to get ready to lift the right foot off the ground.

Swing Phase Details

• The primary objective is to advance the limb forward to complete the gait cycle.
• Movement resembles a pendulum, facilitating hip joint flexion followed by knee joint extension.
• Minimum foot clearance (MFC) is a critical parameter in this phase.

Acceleration and Early Swing (ESW)

• (Early swing) is characterized by toe off and foot adjacent phases.
• Acceleration phase is characterized by great hip pendulum motion.

Mid-Swing (MSW)

• Right foot/limb is in a similar anterior-posterior position as the opposite limb.
• The foot reaches peak anterior velocity.
• The knee extends with a gradual acceleration.

Terminal Swing (TSW)

• Deceleration phase of swing.
• The body prepares to contact the ground.
• Weight bearing is transferred from the swinging/left limb to the right limb.

Temporal-Spatial Parameters (TSP)

• Walking base: The width of the base of support between the heels.
• Step Length: Distance covered by one foot in a cycle.
• Stride Length: Combined distance covered by both feet during a cycle.

Wrapping Up Gait Analysis

• Calculate gait speed (m/s).
• Assess cadence (steps/minute).
• Determine the step length (m).
• Convert cadence to steps per second.
• Calculate comfortable walking speeds for adults (e.g., 1.2-1.4 m/s).

This quiz provides an overview of gait analysis, highlighting its significance in understanding movement and gait terminology. It delves into various phases of the gait cycle and emphasizes the importance of recognizing key events that define these phases. Ideal for students looking to enhance their knowledge in biomechanics and movement science.