Gait analysis represents a scientific approach to assessing movement patterns, ranges of motion in joints, and muscular performance. This method is particularly valuable for evaluating and enhancing movement strategies in individuals with injuries, as well as for developing comprehensive rehabilitation and performance optimization plans.
Healthcare professionals, including physiotherapists and movement specialists, frequently employ gait analysis to identify and correct dysfunctional movement patterns. Additionally, professional athletes utilize this analysis to refine performance. This evaluation method is also applied to assess musculoskeletal injuries in patients, offering data-driven insights for personalized treatment plans.
**Certain details and illustrations included in this article have been derived from the following sources: Video and PDF **
Key Concepts and Terminologies in Gait Analysis
A foundational understanding of the following terms and concepts is essential for conducting and interpreting gait analysis:
• Key Events
• Toe-off
• Heel strike
• Gait Cycle Phase
• Stance Phase
• Swing Phase
• Cycle (Stride) Time
• Double Support
• Single Support
• Step Time
• Step Count
• Step Length
• Stride
• Stance Time
• Swing Time
• Cadence
In the following section, we will explore these concepts in greater detail.
1. Key Events in the Gait Cycle:
The moment the toes leave the treadmill surface, the Stance phase ends and the Swing phase begins.
The initial contact of the heel with the ground, initiating the stance phase.
Stance Phase:
When the foot is on the surface of the treadmill and is responsible for supporting and propelling. This phase starts with heel strike and ends with toe-off. This phase covers approximately 60% of the cycle.
Swing Phase:
When the foot leaves the surface of the treadmill and moves forward to prepare for the next step. This phase begins after toe-off and ends with the heel hitting the treadmill again, which covers about 40% of the cycle.
For example, the stance phase of the right leg is when the foot is on the surface of the treadmill, but on the other hand, the swing phase is when the foot is not on the surface of the treadmill. The interference of the stance phase of two legs is called double support.
3. Double Support and Single Support Phases:
During a walking cycle, there are two periods of Double Support where both feet are in contact with the treadmill surface and provide stability. In contrast, Single Support is when only one foot is on the surface of the treadmill.
In this image, there is only one person's leg in the specified positions on the treadmill surface, which represents the Single Support periods.
Step and Stride Definitions
Each cycle consists of two steps, defined as the movement from heel strike of one foot to heel strike of the opposite foot. Together, these steps constitute a Stride (Cycle), which is the complete distance covered in one cycle of movement.
Measurement of Gait Parameters
In gait analysis, temporal and spatial parameters are quantified to assess movement patterns comprehensively:
• Cycle Time: The total time required to complete a single gait cycle.
• Step Time: The time interval between successive heel strikes of alternate feet.
• Stride Time: The duration of one full stride.
• Swing Time: The time taken for the swing phase.
• Stance Time: The time allocated to the stance phase.
• Stride Length: The distance covered during one complete stride.
• Step Length: The distance between the heels of opposite feet meeting, which in normal gait is usually half the stride length.
Performance Metrics
• Cadence: The number of steps taken per minute, providing an indication of walking rhythm.
• Step Count: The total number of steps recorded over a specified duration, often measured using wearable devices.
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