click below
click below
Normal Size Small Size show me how
Phases of gait
Phases of the gait cycle
Question | Answer |
---|---|
Heel Strike | the point when the heel of the reference or support limb contacts the ground at the beginning of stance phase. |
Initial contact (RLA) | the instant that the foot of the lead extremity strikes the ground. (RLA) |
Muscles active at heel strike | knee extensors (quadriceps); ankle dorsiflexors (anterior tibialis, ext. hallucis longus, ext. digitorum longus) decelerate the foot, slowing plantarflexion |
Foot flat | the point when the sole of the foot of the reference or support limb makes contact with the ground. |
Loading response (RLA | the first period of double support immediately after initial contact until the contralateral leg leave the ground. (RLA) |
Muscles active at foot flat | gastrocnemius-soleus muscles are active through to midstance to eccentrically control forward tibial advancement. |
Midstance | the point at which full body weight is taken by the reference or support limb. |
Midstance (RLA) | the contralateral limb leaves the ground; body weight is taken and advanced over and ahead of the support limb; a period of single limb support. (RLA) |
Muscles active at midstance | hip, knee, and ankle extensors are active throughout stance to oppose gravity forces and stabilize the limb; hip extensors control forward motion of the trunk; hip abductors stabilize the pelvis during unilateral stance |
Heel off | occurs after midstance as the heel of the reference or support limb leaves the ground. |
Terminal stance (RLA) | the last period of single limb support that begins with heel rise and continues until the contralateral leg contacts the ground. (RLA) |
Muscles active at heel off | peak activity of plantarflexors occurs just after heel off to push off and generate forward propulsion of the body. |
Toe off | the last portion of stance when only the toe of the reference or support limb is in contact with the ground. |
Preswing (RLA) | the second period of double support from initial contact of the contralateral limb to lift off of the support limb. (RLA) |
Muscles active at toe off | hip and knee extensors (hamstrings and quadriceps) may contribute to forward propulsion with a brief burst of activity. |
Acceleration | the first portion of the swing phase from toe off of the reference limb until midswing. |
Initial swing (RLA) | from toe off of the reference limb until maximum knee flexion of the same extremity. (RLA) |
Muscles active at acceleration | brief action of quadriceps; by midswing the quadriceps is silent and pendular motion is in effect; hip flexors (iliopsoas) aid in forward limb propulsion. |
Midswing | the portion of the swing phase when the reference extremity moves directly below the body. |
Midswing (RLA) | the portion of the swing phase from maximum knee flexion of the reference extremity to a vertical tibial position. (RLA) |
Muscles active at midswing | foot clearance is achieved by contraction of the hip, knee flexors, and ankle dorsiflexors. |
Deceleration | the end of the swing phase when the reference extremity is slowing down in preparation for heel strike. |
Terminal swing (RLA) | the portion of the swing phase from a vertical tibial position of the reference extremity to just prior to initial contact. (RLA) |
Muscles active at deceleration | hamstrings act during late swing to decelerate the limb in preparation for heeltrike; quadriceps and ankle dorsiflexors become active in late swing to prepare for heelstrike. |