1. Introduction

Gait analysis is a scientific method of evaluating movement patterns, kinesiology and examining the range of joint movement and muscle function during walking. Gait analysis is used to assess, plan, and improve the movement patterns of people with disabilities. Rehabilitation movement specialists and physiotherapists use this method to analyze the movements of professional athletes and their injured clients. This type of kinesiology can be effective for analyzing injuries in the skeletal and muscular structure, and professional experts can prepare more suitable movement programs and exercises for their clients.

2. Applications of gait analysis

Gait analysis aims to identify movement abnormalities that may be caused by disease or injury. Walking is a complex process that depends on the coordination of several systems in the body, including visual system، Somatosensory system، vestibular system and joints. Each of these components plays an important role in maintaining balance, coordination and movement. Disruption in any of these systems can cause gait abnormalities that may lead to pain in different areas of the body, such as the hip, back, neck, foot, knee, or ankle. This analysis can be effective in diagnosing muscle, nerve or skeletal problems as well as identifying the source of the patient's pain when standing or walking. In addition, gait analysis helps assess bone abnormalities or skeletal misalignments, diagnose muscle and nerve disorders, and monitor the progress of diseases such as arthritis and muscle wasting. Gait analysis as a non-invasive method For diagnosis, it is of great value in identifying certain medical conditions, determining the need for further testing, and clarifying possible treatment options.

Gait analysis applications for clinical purposes

• Musculoskeletal disorders:
• Examining movement patterns in cases of pain, injury and tissue pathology.
• Assessing the effect of pain caused by idiopathic (unspecified) or traumatic (trauma) conditions on walking
• Analysis of muscle imbalances, compensatory strategies and protective reactions during locomotion.
• Nervous disorders:
• Analysis of movement problems in patients with cerebral palsy, Parkinson's, stroke, MS.
• Examining the nature of recovery or progression of these diseases and their effect on the walking pattern.
• Cardiorespiratory disorders:
• Evaluation of the effect of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases on motor performance.
• Investigating walking inefficiency that causes fatigue and increases energy consumption.
• Application in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) or suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Surgery:
• Assist in rehabilitation planning after amputations, ligament injuries and fractures
• Evaluation of recovery process and effectiveness of therapeutic interventions over time
• Optimizing gait retraining strategies to reduce stress on joints and improve locomotor performance

Gait analysis for sports purposes

• Performance optimization:
• Analyzing running form: examining step length, number of steps, foot contact with the ground and symmetry of movements
• Providing biomechanical feedback: helping to correct posture and movement patterns to increase performance
• Increasing speed: investigation of ground reaction forces and propulsion mechanics to improve speed power
• Prevention of injuries:
• Body Load Monitoring: Identify stress on joints and muscles to reduce the risk of overuse injuries.
• Movement asymmetry detection: identifying movement inconsistencies that may lead to injury
• Choosing the right shoes and equipment: analyzing the pressure on the joints and investigating the effect of sports shoes or medical insoles on a person's walking.
• Rehabilitation and recovery:
• Monitoring recovery after sports injuries: assessing progress in rehabilitation after injuries such as cruciate ligament tears or fractures.
• Assessing functional changes after treatment: ensuring the athlete's safe return to training and competition

Gait analysis unlocks the secrets of how we move, helping experts address injuries, improve athletic performance, and guide recovery. By spotting imbalances or inefficiencies in walking patterns, it offers tailored solutions for pain relief, rehabilitation, and peak performance.

But to truly understand gait analysis, you need to know its core terms—like stride length, cadence, and gait phases. These concepts are the foundation for decoding movement science.

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