walking mechanics

What are the four primary goals of normal gait?

Shock absorption, maintain stability, forward progression, conserve energy.

Why is gait considered an efficient movement?

It minimizes energy expenditure while allowing forward progression.

Approximately how many steps does the average person take per minute while walking?

About 110 steps/min.

Why is shock absorption so important during gait?

Because each step creates ground reaction forces that must be dissipated to protect joints.

During walking, what percentage of the gait cycle is spent in stance?

60%.

During walking, what percentage of the gait cycle is spent in swing?

40%.

What percentage of the gait cycle is spent in single-limb support?

About 40%.

What percentage of the gait cycle is spent in double-limb support?

About 20% (two 10% periods).

What is one gait cycle?

Initial contact of one foot to the next initial contact of the same foot.

One gait cycle equals how many steps?

Two steps.

What is a stride?

One complete gait cycle.

What is the difference between a stride and a step?

A stride is two steps; a step is from one foot to the opposite foot.

Which phase of gait primarily requires both stability and mobility?

Stance phase.

Which phase primarily requires mobility?

Swing phase.

Why does swing phase require little stability?

The limb is not weight-bearing.

What event begins the gait cycle?

Initial contact (heel strike).

What support phase occurs during initial contact?

Double-limb support.

What is the ankle position at initial contact?

Neutral.

What is the knee position at initial contact?

Near full extension (0–5° flexion).

What is the hip position at initial contact?

~30° flexion.

What event ends loading response?

Opposite toe-off.

What support phase occurs during loading response?

Double-limb support.

What ankle motion occurs during loading response?

Plantarflexion.

What knee motion occurs during loading response?

Flexion (~15–20°).

What hip motion begins during loading response?

Extension.

What event begins midstance?

Opposite toe-off.

What support phase occurs during midstance?

Single-limb support.

What event ends midstance?

Ipsilateral heel rise.

What ankle motion occurs during midstance?

Dorsiflexion.

What knee motion occurs during midstance?

Extension.

What hip motion occurs during midstance?

Extension.

What event begins terminal stance?

Heel rise.

What support phase occurs during terminal stance?

Single-limb support.

What event ends terminal stance?

Opposite initial contact.

What ankle motion occurs during terminal stance?

Continued dorsiflexion.

What knee position occurs during terminal stance?

Near full extension.

What hip position occurs during terminal stance?

Peak extension (~10°).

What event begins pre-swing?

Opposite initial contact.

What support phase occurs during pre-swing?

Double-limb support.

What event ends pre-swing?

Toe-off.

What ankle motion occurs during pre-swing?

Plantarflexion.

What knee motion occurs during pre-swing?

Flexion.

What hip motion occurs during pre-swing?

Begins flexion.

What event begins initial swing?

Toe-off.

What event ends initial swing?

Feet adjacent.

What ankle motion occurs during initial swing?

Dorsiflexion.

What knee motion occurs during initial swing?

Flexion.

What hip motion occurs during initial swing?

Flexion.

How much toe clearance is normally needed during swing?

Approximately 1–3 cm.

What event ends mid-swing?

Tibia vertical.

What ankle position occurs during mid-swing?

Neutral.

What knee motion occurs during mid-swing?

Extension.

What hip motion occurs during mid-swing?

Continued flexion.

What event ends terminal swing?

Initial contact.

What ankle position occurs during terminal swing?

Neutral.

What knee position occurs during terminal swing?

Near full extension.

What hip position occurs during terminal swing?

~30° flexion.

What are the stance phase percentages?

Loading Response 0–10%, Midstance 10–30%, Terminal Stance 30–50%, Pre-swing 50–60%.

What are the swing phase percentages?

Initial Swing 60–73%, Mid Swing 73–87%, Terminal Swing 87–100%.

What is stride length?

Distance from initial contact of one foot to the next initial contact of the same foot.

Stride length equals what?

Two step lengths.

What is step length?

Distance from initial contact of one foot to initial contact of the opposite foot.

How is left step length measured?

Right heel strike to left heel strike.

What is normal step length?

~72 cm.

What is normal stride length?

~144 cm.

What is step width?

Distance between heel centers.

What is normal step width?

~10 cm.

Why might someone increase step width?

To improve stability or compensate for balance deficits.

What is foot angle?

Angle between the line of progression and the long axis of the foot.

Normal foot angle?

Approximately 5–7° toe-out.

What is cadence?

Number of steps per minute.

Normal cadence?

~110 steps/min.

What is stride time?

Time required to complete one gait cycle.

What is step time?

Time from one heel strike to the opposite heel strike.

What is gait speed?

Distance walked per unit time.

Normal gait speed?

~1.37 m/s (≈3.0 mph).

Why is gait speed called the “6th vital sign”?

It strongly predicts functional status, independence, hospitalization risk, and mortality.

What gait speed is generally required for community ambulation?

≥0.8 m/s.

Why is 1.37 m/s clinically important?

It is the speed needed to safely cross most intersections.

How is the 10-Meter Walk Test performed?

Patient walks 10 m, but only the middle 6 m are timed.

Why are the first and last 2 m excluded?

To eliminate acceleration and deceleration.

Can assistive devices be used during the 10-Meter Walk Test?

Yes, but they should be documented.

A patient walks with a significantly shorter right step length. Which leg is most likely limited during stance?

The left stance limb, because it cannot effectively propel the body forward.

A patient demonstrates prolonged double-limb support. What does this usually indicate?

Decreased balance confidence or impaired stability.

A patient widens their step width after a vestibular injury. Why?

To increase the base of support and improve balance.

A patient has difficulty clearing their toes during swing. Which three joints should you immediately assess?

Hip flexion, knee flexion, and ankle dorsiflexion.

A patient cannot achieve terminal stance. Which later gait phases will also be affected?

Pre-swing and all of swing due to reduced propulsion.

A patient walks at 0.55 m/s. What level of ambulation does this most closely represent?

Limited community ambulator.

Why does single-limb support require greater neuromuscular control than double-limb support?

The entire body weight must be balanced over one limb while maintaining forward progression.

Why is stance considered both a stability and mobility phase?

The limb must support body weight while allowing the body to progress over the foot.

Why is most peak joint motion observed during swing?

The limb must shorten and advance without contacting the ground.

What is kinematics?

The study of joint motion without considering the forces causing the motion.

Which plane has the greatest amount of motion during gait?

Sagittal plane.

Which joints have the greatest sagittal plane motion during gait?

Hip, knee, and ankle.

Which plane has the least motion during gait?

Transverse plane.

What ankle motions occur in the sagittal plane?

Dorsiflexion and plantarflexion.

How much dorsiflexion is required for normal gait?

~10°.

How much plantarflexion is required for normal gait?

~20°.

What is the ankle position at initial contact?

Neutral.