Gait Analysis and Movement Flashcards

A comprehensive set of practice questions covering the muscle roles and contraction types throughout the phases of the gait cycle as well as sit-to-stand movements.

What are the dorsiflexors doing at initial contact?

Holding the ankle in neutral. Role: Stabiliser/Agonist Contraction: Isometric

What are the glute max and hamstrings doing at initial contact?

Stabilising the hip and trunk. Role: Stabiliser Contraction: Isometric

What movement occurs at the ankle during loading response?

Plantarflexion.

What muscle group controls ankle plantarflexion during loading response?

Dorsiflexors. Role: Antagonist Contraction: Eccentric

Why do the dorsiflexors contract eccentrically during loading response?

To prevent foot slap.

What movement occurs at the knee during loading response?

Knee flexion.

What muscle group controls knee flexion during loading response?

Quadriceps. Role: Antagonist Contraction: Eccentric

Why do the quadriceps contract eccentrically during loading response?

To prevent knee collapse.

What movement occurs at the hip during loading response?

Hip extension.

What muscle group produces hip extension during loading response?

Glute max and hamstrings. Role: Agonist Contraction: Concentric

What movement occurs at the ankle during midstance?

Ankle dorsiflexion.

What muscle group controls ankle dorsiflexion during midstance?

Plantarflexors. Role: Antagonist Contraction: Eccentric

Why do the plantarflexors contract eccentrically during midstance?

To control forward tibial progression.

Which gait phase is most associated with eccentric plantarflexor activity?

Midstance.

What are the gluteus medius muscles doing during midstance?

Stabilising the pelvis. Role: Stabiliser Contraction: Isometric

What movement occurs at the ankle during terminal stance?

Plantarflexion.

What muscle group produces push-off during terminal stance?

Plantarflexors. Role: Agonist Contraction: Concentric

Why do the plantarflexors contract concentrically during terminal stance?

To propel the body forward.

What movement occurs during preswing?

Final plantarflexion/push-off.

What muscle group is primarily responsible for push-off during preswing?

Plantarflexors. Role: Agonist Contraction: Concentric

What movement occurs at the hip during initial swing?

Hip flexion.

What muscle group produces hip flexion during initial swing?

Hip flexors. Role: Agonist Contraction: Concentric

What movement occurs at the knee during initial swing?

Knee flexion.

What muscle group produces knee flexion during initial swing?

Hamstrings. Role: Agonist Contraction: Concentric

What movement occurs at the ankle during initial swing?

Dorsiflexion.

What muscle group produces ankle dorsiflexion during initial swing?

Dorsiflexors. Role: Agonist Contraction: Concentric

Why do the dorsiflexors contract during initial swing?

To achieve toe clearance.

What are the dorsiflexors doing during mid swing?

Holding the ankle in neutral. Role: Stabiliser Contraction: Isometric

Why are dorsiflexors active during mid swing?

To prevent the toes catching the ground.

What movement occurs at the knee during terminal swing?

Knee extension.

What muscle group produces knee extension during terminal swing?

Quadriceps. Role: Agonist Contraction: Concentric

What muscle group slows knee extension during terminal swing?

Hamstrings. Role: Antagonist Contraction: Eccentric

Why do the hamstrings contract eccentrically during terminal swing?

To decelerate the swinging limb before heel strike.

What are the dorsiflexors doing during terminal swing?

Holding the ankle in neutral. Role: Stabiliser Contraction: Isometric

During loading response, what are the dorsiflexors?

Antagonist + Eccentric

During loading response, what are the quadriceps?

Antagonist + Eccentric

During loading response, what are the glute max and hamstrings?

Agonist + Concentric

During midstance, what are the plantarflexors?

Antagonist + Eccentric

During terminal stance, what are the plantarflexors?

Agonist + Concentric

During terminal swing, what are the hamstrings?

Antagonist + Eccentric

During sit-to-stand, what are the glute max and hamstrings?

Agonist + Concentric

During sit-to-stand, what are the quadriceps?

Agonist + Concentric

During sit-to-stand, what are the plantarflexors?

Agonist + Concentric

During stand-to-sit, what are the glute max and hamstrings?

Antagonist + Eccentric

During stand-to-sit, what are the quadriceps?

Antagonist + Eccentric

During stand-to-sit, what are the plantarflexors?

Antagonist + Eccentric

What is the most common movement-analysis pattern in gait?

A muscle controls a movement it opposes. Role: Antagonist Contraction: Eccentric