Defined as the manner in which a person walks

Gait is also known as

Types of gait

Refers to an individual’s capacity to move from one place to another

Highest functional activity

Purposes of gait

Fundamental unit of walking

Has both spatial and temporal parameters

In normal walking, gait cycle begins when the ____ of reference extremity contacts the supporting surface and ends when ____ of the same extremity contacts ground again

In some normal gaits, the heel may not be the first part of the foot to contact the ground

The gait cycle may be considered to begin when some other portion of the reference limb contacts ground, and ends when the next ipsilateral contact of the same portion of the foot with the ground

Constitutes approximately 60% of the gait cycle

CKC

Interval in which the reference foot is in contact with the ground

OKC

Comprises approximately 40% of the gait cycle

Occurs when the reference limb is not in contact with the ground

A double gait cycle includes periods of stance and swing for both the right and left limbs

Occurs at the beginning of the gait cycle as weight transfers onto the outstretched reference limb from the trailing limb

Both points of the feet are touching the ground

Occurs at the end of stance of body weight transfers from the trailing reference limb to the lead limb

Both points are still on the ground

Arising between the two double limb stance periods, this is the portion of the gait cycle where only one limb supports body weight

When this occurs, the other leg is in swing

Distance of the point of the heel strike of one extremity to the point of heel strike of the opposite extremity

Distance from the point of heel strike of one extremity to the next point of heel strike of the same extremity

Equivalent to 1 gait cycle

Number of steps taken per unit of time

Rate of displacement

Scalar quantity that has magnitude but not direction

Distance covered over time

Pattern

Normal speed of gait

Normal cadence

Increased cadence in females

Increased cadence in males

Normal step length

Normal stride length

Old terminology

RLA

Beginning of stance when heel or some other portion of foot contacts ground

Component of initial double limb stance

Body weight rapidly loads onto lead limb from trailing limb

Hip remains stable, knee flexes to absorb shock and forefoot lowers to ground

Immediately follows initial contact and is final component of initial double limb stance

Ends when opposite limb lifts from ground for swing

Trunk progresses from behind in front of ankle over single stable limb

First half of single limb support

Starts when contralateral foot kifts from ground for swing

Trunk continues forward progression relative to foot

Heel rises from ground and limb achieves trailing limb posture

Second half single limb support

Ends with contralateral initial contact

Body weight rapidly unloads from reference limb anf reference limb prepares for swing during this terminal double limb stance period

Starts with contralateral initial contact and ends at ipsilateral limb toe off

Starts when reference foot lifts from ground

Hip, knee and ankle rapidly flex for clearance and advancement during this initial 1/3 of swing

Thigh continues advancing, knee begins to extend, and ankle achieves neutral posture during this middle 1/3 of swing

During this final 1/3 of swing, knee achieves maximal extension and ankle remains at neutral in preparation for heel first initial contact

Ends when foot contacts ground

Beginning of stance when heel first contacts ground

Immediately follows heel strike when sole of foot contacts floor

Point at which body passes directly over reference extremity

Point following heel off when reference limb’s toe is contacting ground

Point following midstance when refernce limb’s heel leaves ground

Beginning portion of swing from reference limb toe off to point when reference limb is directly under the body

Portion of swing when reference limb passes directly below body

Extends from the end of acceleration to beginning of deceleration

Portion of swing when reference limb is decelerating in preparation for heel strike

INITIAL CONTACT

LOADING RESPONSE

MIDSTANCE

TERMINAL STANCE

PRESWING

INITIAL SWING

MIDSWING

TERMINAL SWING

Used to describe movement patterns without regard of the forces involved in producing movement

Used to determine the forces involved in gait

May include gravity, muscles, etc

Results are used to identify structural and activity limitations, plan an intervention and assess the outcomes

Most common OGA system used by physical therapists

Uses a recording comprising 45 descriptors of common gait deviations

Has the capability of slowing or stopping motion

Spark motions and kinovea are examples

Clinician has the option to overlay prior videos, integrate grids and drawings to assist with visual analysis, and calculate approximate joint angles on the videos/images for subsequent comparison

Common gait deviations: initial contact

Common gait deviations: loading response

Common gait deviations: midstance or terminal stance

Common gait deviations: midstance

Common gait deviations: terminal stance or preswing

Common gait deviations: stance

Common gait deviations: stance or swing

Common gait deviations: swing