Gait cycle
Definition
- from point of initial contact of one foot with the ground
- until that foot hits the ground again
Two parts
1. Swing phase
- foot not in contact with ground
- 40% walking gait
2. Stance phase
- heel strike to toe off
- 60% of walking gait
- 3 rocker phases
Rocker Phases
1st rocker phase / Heel Strike
Ankle plantar flexes
The foot is lowered onto the ground under the control of the eccentrically acting tibialis anterior
Foot pronates with flattening of medial arch, and hind foot in valgus to allow show absorption
Lose with
- heel pain
- fixed equinus
- true or apparent LLD
2nd rocker phase / Stance Phase
Progressive dorsiflexion of the ankle allows the tibia and the centre of gravity to progress over the foot
- modulated by the eccentrically acting triceps surae
- maximal pronation
3rd rocker phase / Toe Off
The foot rotates over the MT heads
Foot moves into supination, heel into varus
Tibialis posterior locks Midfoot so foot can act as a rigid lever
Concentric contraction of the triceps surae and FHL provides pushoff
Loss
- painful forefoot (Hallux valgus / rigidus)
- loss of PF (NM, stiff hindfoot, ruptured TA)
Running
Walking ground reaction force 1.5 X body weight
Running ground reaction force 3 X body weight
Running has floating phase
- neither foot touching ground