(Walking Gait) Biomechanics of Locomotion

Neutral

• Initial Contact

• Ankle motion

• Pre-tibial muscles decelerate forefoot lowering and draw the tibia forward following initial contact

Plantarflexion

• Loading Response

• Ankle motion

• Pre-tibial muscles decelerate forefoot lowering and draw the tibia forward following initial contact

Dorsiflexion

• Mid-Stance

• Ankle motion

• Plantar Flexors progressively increase activity throughout two phases to allow controlled forward progression of tibia. Elastic energy is stored in the Achilles Tendon.

Dorsiflexion

• Terminal Stance

• Ankle motion

• Plantar Flexors progressively increase activity throughout two phases to allow controlled forward progression of tibia. Elastic energy is stored in the Achilles Tendon.

Plantarflexion

• Pre-swing

• Ankle motion

• Calf muscles cease in early pre-swing. Stored elastic energy in Achilles Tendon contributes to rapid plantarflexion as the limb unloads.

Plantarflexion to Neutral

• Initial Swing to Midswing

• Ankle motion

• Pre-tibial muscles elevate the foot to neutral by mid-swing and then maintain that posture.

Neutral Position

• Midswing to Terminal Swing

• Ankle motion

• Pre-tibial muscles elevate the foot to neutral by mid-swing and then maintain that posture.

Knee Extension

• Initial Contact

• Knee Motion

• Low-amplitude hamstring activity resists knee hyperextension

Knee flexion

• Loading Response

• Knee Motion

• Eccentric vastii activity allows knee flexion for shock absorption but prevents collapse

Knee extension

• Mid-stance and Terminal Stance

• Knee Motion

• Vastii activity ceases by the middle of mid-stance

Knee flexion

• Pre-swing

• Knee Motion

• Rectus femoris modulates the rate of knee flexion

Knee flexion

• Initial Swing

• Knee Motion

• Biceps femoris, gracilis, and sartorius contribute to knee flexion

Knee flexion

• Mid-swing

• Knee Motion

• Hamstrings modulate the rate of knee extension and thigh advancement.

Knee extension

• Terminal Swing

• Knee Motion

• Hamstrings continue the activity and vastii becomes active in preparation for the demands of initial double limb stance.

Hip flexion

• Initial Contact and Loading Response

• Hip Motion

• Single joint hip extensors and abductors contract vigorously to stabilize the pelvis and trunk over the femur. Hamstring activity is diminishing.

Neutral

• Mid-stance

• Hip Motion

• Residual hamstring activity assists with hip extension at the beginning of the phase. Low-level abductor activity stabilizes the pelvis.

Hip extension

• Terminal Stance

• Hip Motion

• Low amplitude tensor fascia latae activity

Hip extension

• Pre-swing

• Hip Motion

• Rectus femoris assists with early thigh advancement

Hip flexion

• Initial Swing

• Hip Motion

• Iliacus, adductor longus, gracilis, and sartorius actively advance the thigh

Hip flexion

• Mid-swing

• Hip Motion

• Increasing hamstring activity at the end of the phase restrains further thigh advancement

Hip flexion

• Terminal swing

• Hip Motion

• Hamstrings continue activity to control thigh posture; single joint hip extensors and abductors rapidly increase in activity to prepare for demands of the next phase of gait.