Gait Cycle Phases Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What occurs during the heel strike phase of the gait cycle?

The foot is fully plantar flexed.

The ankle is fully dorsiflexed.

The hip is in full extension.

The knee is in full extension. (correct)

What is the primary goal during the foot flat-loading response phase?

To maintain hip flexion.

To accelerate forward motion.

To initiate the heel rise.

To absorb shock and lower the foot. (correct)

During the mid-stance phase of the gait cycle, what position are the hip and knee typically in?

Hip in flexion, knee in extension.

Both in extension. (correct)

Hip in extension, knee in flexion.

Both in flexion.

What defines the heel rocker function during the stance phase?

It acts as a fulcrum for the entire heel of the stepping limb. Signup and view all the answers

At which percentage of the gait cycle does heel strike occur?

0-2% Signup and view all the answers

What position does the ankle adopt during the mid-stance phase?

Dorsiflexion. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the center of gravity during the heel strike phase?

It is at its lowest point. Signup and view all the answers

In the foot flat phase, what degree is the knee flexed?

20° flexion. Signup and view all the answers

What is the angle of flexion at heel strike?

30 degrees Signup and view all the answers

During the mid stance phase, what is the degree of flexion of the knee?

Neutral Signup and view all the answers

Which muscles are active during the mid stance phase of the hip joint?

Gluteus maximus and hamstrings Signup and view all the answers

At heel off, which moment increases for the ankle?

Plantar flexion moment Signup and view all the answers

What happens to hamstring activation during mid stance in relation to knee flexion?

It is slightly decreased Signup and view all the answers

Which muscle group is maximum during heel off?

Gastrocnemius Signup and view all the answers

At toe off, which movement occurs to the tarsometatarsal level?

Plantar flexion Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the quadriceps during mid stance?

It generates an extensor moment Signup and view all the answers

What is the normal width of the support surface during walking?

5-10 cm Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes a normal gait in terms of steps per minute?

90-110 steps per minute Signup and view all the answers

What muscle group is primarily activated to create a dorsiflexion moment after heel strike?

Ext Digitorum Longus and Ext Hallucis Longus Signup and view all the answers

How much pelvic tilt occurs during walking in degrees?

8-10 degrees Signup and view all the answers

During the foot flat phase, which moment is primarily created?

Plantar flexion moment Signup and view all the answers

What position is the knee in during the midstance phase?

10-15 degrees of flexion Signup and view all the answers

What occurs if the width of the support surface falls below 5 cm?

Adduction gait Signup and view all the answers

During the heel strike phase, the ankle is in what position?

Neutral position Signup and view all the answers

Which muscle is primarily active before and during the midstance phase?

Quadriceps Signup and view all the answers

What happens when the vertical displacement of the gravity center rises above normal?

It results in excessive oscillations in the pelvis. Signup and view all the answers

How does pelvic tilt contribute to energy consumption during walking?

Reduces energy loss Signup and view all the answers

What type of contraction do the Quadriceps perform immediately after heel strike?

Eccentric contraction Signup and view all the answers

What is the average amount of vertical displacement in the gravity center for an adult male?

5.08 cm Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the double support period during fast gait?

It is shortened Signup and view all the answers

Which phase is characterized by the gradual activation of plantar flexor muscles?

Foot flat phase Signup and view all the answers

Which anatomical feature helps to maintain the vertical limits of the gravity center during movement?

Structural features of the femur Signup and view all the answers

What role does the gluteus medius play in the lateral displacement of the center of gravity?

Lifts the pelvis on the opposite side when weight is placed on the limb. Signup and view all the answers

What is the knee position just before the heel strike?

In full extension Signup and view all the answers

What joint position characterizes the foot flat phase of walking?

15-degree plantar flexion Signup and view all the answers

Which forces are primarily responsible for the motion during the midstance phase?

Internal and external forces acting in tandem Signup and view all the answers

What can occur if there is no normal valgus in the knee?

Difficulties in foot lift and pelvic elevation. Signup and view all the answers

How is the width of the support surface related to the center of gravity?

Wider support reduces oscillations of the center of gravity. Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence of pelvic tilt during lateral displacement?

Increased energy consumption. Signup and view all the answers

What effect does the angulation of the knee have on the displacement of the center of gravity?

It limits the total vertical displacement to around 5 cm. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the quadriceps femoris after toe off during the swing phase?

To adjust the level of heel off posteriorly and start the forward swing of the leg Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum flexion value reached by the knee during the mid swing phase?

65 degrees Signup and view all the answers

What forces act on the hip joint during the mid stance phase of gait?

Both external and internal forces Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical range of step length in centimeters during normal gait?

35 - 41 cm Signup and view all the answers

During which phase does the hip begin in a neutral position before transitioning to flexion?

Swing phase Signup and view all the answers

What role do the hamstrings play at the end of the swing phase?

They decelerate the movement of the leg for controlled heel strike Signup and view all the answers

What is the average width of step width in centimeters during normal gait?

7 - 8 cm Signup and view all the answers

How do the muscles tibialis anterior, extensor digitorum longus, and extensor hallucis longus function during the swing phase?

They shorten the extremity Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Gait Definition

Gait is rhythmic alternating movements of the trunk and extremities, displacing the center of gravity forward.
Biomechanically, walking is rhythmic loss and gain of balance.
Gait cycle is the time between the heel stroke of one lower limb and the subsequent heel stroke of the same limb.

Normal Gait Cycle

Divided into two main phases: Stance and Swing.
Stance phase in adults covers 60% of walking period (maximum 70%), and swing phase 40%.
Stance phase has multiple phases.

Stance Phase

Heel Strike: Initial contact, hip at 30° flexion, knee full extension, ankle neutral, and foot supinated. Goal is to lower the foot onto the ground with the heel first.
Heel Contact: Heel touches the ground.
Foot Flat: Sole of the foot touches the ground, and the cycle is at 2-10%. Also, the first double support phase.
Mid-Stance: Body's center of gravity is on the fixed foot vertically at 10-30%.
Heel Off: Terminal stance -heel rise, 30-50%. The single stance phase ends. Hip at 10° extension, knee transitioning from extension to flexion, and ankle in plantar flexion. Goal is to cut off the leg from the ground.
Toe Off: Detachment of fingers from the floor and the beginning of the pre-swing phase at 50-60%. The stance phase ends, and the swing phase starts.

Double Support Phase

Briefly, when both lower limbs are in contact with the ground.
One lower limb is between heel stroke and foot flat, and the other between lower extremity thrust phase and toe off.
Covers 25% of walking period at normal speed.
Characterized with prolongation in slow walking.
It separates walking from running.

Heel Rocker

Foot touches the ground, body starts to turn forward over the heel.
Heel works as a fulcrum of a lever, and advances the entire heel of the stepping limb.

Foot Flat

Shortly after the heel touches the ground, the sole also touches the ground (2-10% of cycle, and also the first double support phase).
Body weight transfers to the foot until the other foot is lifted.

Mid-Stance

The cycle is at 10-30%, the beginning of the single stance phase.
Body's center of gravity is on the fixed foot vertically.
Hip and knee are in extension, ankle is in dorsiflexion.
The goal is to move the trunk forward on the foot that is fixed on the ground.
The forward speed of the body's center of gravity is minimized.

Ankle Rocker

When the entire foot touches the ground, rotation ends in the heel and starts in the ankle.
The foot is fixed on the floor.

Forefoot Rocker

When GRFV reaches the front foot, the heel lifts off the ground.
Rotation in the ankle ends, and the front foot rotation begins.
Progress accelerates as the VAM-COG support area falls in front of its center.

Toe Off

Detachment of fingers from the floor.
Gait cycle 50-60%.
Stance phase ends, and the swing phase begins.
Also forms the second double support phase.
Hip extension, knee flexion, and ankle plantar flexion increase.
The goal is to prepare the leg for swing.

Push-off Phase

Time between heel separation from the ground and finger separation from the ground.
Heel of the stance foot leaves the ground.
Toes remain on the ground.
Body accelerates with calf muscle activation.
Stance phase ends when toes separate from the floor, and the limb enters the swing phase.

Swing Phase

Divided into three phases: Initial swing, Mid swing, and Terminal swing.

Acceleration-Initial Swing

Begins as soon as toes leave the ground.
The foot accelerates so the heel touches the ground in front of the body.
Gait cycle 60-73% lifting of the foot from the ground.
Ends when the foot reaches the level of the other limb.

Mid-Swing Phase

Begins when the foot accelerates forward in the air.
The limb should be above the ground at this time (73-87% gait cycle).
The swinging leg comes to the stance leg and passes in front of it to avoid touching ground.
Hip and knee flexion active, and ankle dorsiflexion in action.
Goal is to transfer the foot without touching the ground.

Deceleration-Terminal Swing

Gait cycle 87-100%.
Oscillating leg passes in front of the pressing leg.
Ends when the foot touches the ground.
Hip in flexion, knee in extension, and ankle in neutral position.
The goal is to prepare the foot to step on the ground.

Determinants of Normal Gait

Six movements have been identified to reduce displacements of the body's center of gravity during walking:
- Vertical displacement of the gravity center.
- Lateral displacement of the gravity center.
- Pelvic rotation.
- Pelvic tilt.
- Width of support surface.
- Cadence of gait.

Kinematic Parameters

Joint angles, speed and accelerations.

Kinetic Analysis

Ground reaction forces.
External and internal moments and forces.

Gait Disorders

Short leg gait: Divided into three groups based on shortness (0-4cm, 5-9cm, and 10cm+). Compensation is possible by lowering the short-sided pelvis, or bringing the short side foot to the equinus position .
Gait disorders due to static instability of hip joint, (Coxa vara, Coxa valga, Hip dislocation).
Causes reversal of normal hip stabilization, with a resulting Trendelenburg symptom.
Gait disorders in neurological diseases (Antalgic gait, and paralytic gait : Gluteus max, Gluteus Medius , Quadriceps Femoris, hamstring, Paralysis of Dorsiflexors, Paralysis of Plantar).
Ataxia Gaita, is a neurological gait disorder, characterized by wide-based gait.

Gait Analysis Techniques

Observational analysis.
Kinematic Analysis
Kinetic Analysis.

Assessment Methods

Visual observations (including speed, posture, and sequence).
Video recordings and data collection (using markers, force platforms, etc).

Gait Analysis Laboratory

Uses transmitters to record movement data.
Measures ground reaction forces and EMG.
Numerical data evaluation and interpretation alongside clinical patient status.

Pre-requisites for Gait

Balance.
Progress.
Shock absorption.
Frugality in energy expenditure.

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Description

Test your knowledge of the gait cycle phases, focusing on heel strike, foot flat, mid-stance, and heel off. This quiz covers key positions, angles, and muscle activations during these important phases of human movement.