NPTE Normal Gait Principles

Gait Cycle Definition

Time from initial contact of one limb to next ipsilateral initial contact.

what is stride

one complete gait cycle

Stance vs Swing Percentage

60% stance phase, 40% swing phase.

RLA vs standard terminology

PHASES RLA TRADITIONAL STANCE

Initial contact: Heel strike

Loading response: Foot flat

Mid stance: Mid stance

Terminal stance: Heel off

Pre swing: Toe off

SWING

Initial swing: Acceleration

Mid swing: Mid swing

Terminal swing: Deceleration

Hip ROM Required for Normal Gait (stance vs swing)

Stance phase: 0-30° flexion and 0-10-20° hyperextension

• Swing phase: 20-30° flexion

Knee ROM Required for Normal Gait

0-60° flexion (stance 0-40°, swing 0-60°).

Ankle ROM Required for Normal Gait

stance: 0-10° dorsiflexion, 0-20° plantarflexion.

• Swing phase: 0-20° DF

Pretibial Muscle Activity, eccentric and concentric

Anterior tibialis, extensor digitorum longus, extensor hallucis longus

• Prior to and during heel strike

̶Eccentric contraction: Lowers foot to the ground

• Prior to and during swing

̶Concentric contraction: Dorsiflexion, clear toes off ground

calf Muscle Activity, eccentric and concentric

Gastrocnemius, Soleus (Flexor digitorum longus, flexor hallucis longus, posterior

tibialis)

• Mid stance

̶Eccentric contraction: Control of tibia over the foot

• Heel off

concentric: ankle PF

Quadriceps Action for eccentric and concentric contractions

Vastus medialis/lateralis/intermedius, rectus femoris

• Heel Strike

̶Quadriceps femoris contracts eccentrically: Control rapid knee flexion and to

prevent buckling

• Pre Swing phase

̶Eccentric contraction: Slow down leg (tibia)

hamstrings action for eccentric and concentric contractions

Biceps, Semitendinosus, Semimembranosus

• Before Heel strike

̶Eccentric contraction: Protects knee from hyperextension

• Swing phase

̶Concentric contraction: Knee flexion

Hip Abductors and adductors action for eccentric and concentric

Hip Abductors

• Gluteus medius, Gluteus minimus, Tensor fascia latae

• Stance phase

̶Eccentric contraction: Stabilize pelvis

Hip Adductors

• Adductor longus/brevis, Gracilis, Adductor magnus (horizontal and

vertical heads)

• Early and late stance

̶Concentric contraction: Stabilize pelvis