Overview of the gait cycle

1. 1. Stance phase – 60% of cycle

2. • Heel strike – flat foot – mid-stance – heel off – toe off

3. 2. Swing phase – 40% of cycle

4. • Acceleration – mid-swing – deceleration

5. What is the lower limb biomechanical assessment used for?

6. A lower limb biomechanical assessment analyses the link between the structure, function, strengths and weaknesses of the lower limb joints and muscles. Lower limb pain can be caused or referred from a number of joints. A comprehensive examination is needed to identify the numerous contributing pathological processes, which may need to be treated concurrently with physiotherapy, orthotics, injections or surgery.

7. What is the difference between open and closed kinetic chains?

8. In open kinetic chain assessment the joint is able to move freely, either by active movement or by passive movement by the examiner. Closed kinetic chain is the assessment of gait and lower limb function whilst it is in contact with the ground.

9. What is the normal gait cycle?

10. A gait cycle is the sequence that starts with the heel strike of one foot and ends with the subsequent floor contact of the same foot. The gait is defined as a series of rhythmical and alternating movements of the trunk and lower limbs that result in forward progression of the centre of gravity.

11. During increasing walking speeds and running the swing phase increases and the stance phase decreases until the ratio of stance to swing phase reverses.

12. What are the commonly used terms?

13. • A step length is the distance from one heel strike to the contralateral heel strike.

14. • A stride length is the distance between two heel contacts of the same foot, and in a normal gait it is double the step length.