Components Of Gait Research Articles

Strength of lower limb related to gait velocity and cadence in stroke patients

This study was undertaken to determine the relationship between two temporal components of gait (velocity and cadence) and the standardized static strength of seven lower extremity muscle groups of the paretic side of 20 patients who were hemiplegic following cerebrovascular accidents. Velocity and cadence were calculated from a timed gait trial over an eight-metre expanse of floor. Static strength was tested by a hand-held dynamometer, and the scores standardized against body weight. The muscles tested were hip flexors, extensors and abductors; the knee flexors and extensors; and the ankle dorsiflexors and plantar flexors. Correlations were significant (p < 0.05) between both gait variables and the standardized strength of the hip extensor, knee flexor, ankle dorsiflexor, and ankle plantar flexor muscle groups. Also significant were the correlations between cadence and the standardized strength of the hip abductor and knee extensor muscles. These relationships suggest that the strength of some muscle groups of the paretic lower extremity may be of functional importance and worthy of measurement.

Kinematic and electromyographic patterns of Olympic race walkers.

The performance of two Olympic race walkers was studied during free-speed, fast, and race walking. Measurements of the stride and temporal components of gait, as well as the simultaneous displacement patterns of the body segments, and the electromyographic activity of muscles of the trunk and upper and lower limbs were recorded during the three walking speeds. During the testing, the race walkers achieved an average speed of 12.5 km/hr as compared to the 8.7 km/hr average speed achieved by normal men of the same age during fast walking. Race walking was characterized by an increase in cadence and stride length beyond that of normal controls (in a prior study) during fast walking, with stride lengths averaging 125% of stature during race walking, and 115% during normal fast walking. In the two race walkers the amplitudes of most of the movement patterns of the trunk and upper and lower limbs were exaggerated during race walking as compared to normal controls' fast walking. Several mechanisms were used by the race walkers to minimize the vertical excursion of the center of gravity of the body during race walking. All of the muscles monitored in the race walkers showed an increase in the amplitude of electromyographic activity during race walking as compared to fast walking; duration of muscle activity was also usually increased during race walking. Several suggestions for prevention of injuries associated with race walking are made.

Analysis of instantaneous energy of normal gait

An analysis of the energy components of human gait in the sagittal plane has been made employing kinematic and anthropometric data. The television data source does not encumber natural gait and is sufficiently complete so that drastic simplifying assumptions are not necessary for the analysis. The instantaneous kinetic (translational and rotational) and potential energy is calculated for the shank, thigh and torso. The following conclusions can be drawn: 1. (i) The torso acts as a conservative system with about half of its change in potential and kinetic energy interchanging. 2. (ii) The thigh conserves ca. 1 3 of its energy change. 3. (iii) The shank has the largest total energy changes, but virtually no exchange between kinetic and potential. 4. (iv) In all but the shank the rotational kinetic component, 1 2 Iω 2 , can be ignored. 5. (v) The stride-to-stride changes in total body energy were less than 4% of the average body energy.

Walking Patterns of Patients with Unilateral Hip Pain Due to Osteo-Arthritis and Avascular Necrosis

The simultaneous displacement patterns of parts of the body were analyzed during free-speed anf fast walking of twenty-six men with unilateral hip pain. Despite the variability from one patient to another, certain distinct gait abnormalities emerged as typical of the coxalgic gait. The limp of hip pain is characterized by irregularity and asymmetry in the following gait components during successive phases of weight-bearing on the painful and sound limb: duration of the weight-bearing periods; step lenght; vertical and forward motion of the head; lateral displacement of the head, trunk, upper limb, or some combination of the three; and sagittal rotation of the shoulders and elbows. The following components were significantly less than normal: walking speed; step length; cadence; maximum extension of both hips and both ankles during the late stanee phase; maximum flexion of both knees during swing; shoulder flexion during the forward are of arm swing; and elbow extension during the backward are. The following components were significantly greater than normal: lateral motion of the head; anterior pelvic tilting; and transverse rotation of the pelvis during free-speed walking. Most of the patients showed a descent of the pelvis on the swinging side during single-limb support on the painful limb and an elevation of the pelvis on the swinging side during single-limb support on the sound limb.

Walking and Limping: A Study of Normal and Pathological Walking

The intricate dynamics of normal and abnormal walking render even the most eloquent and precise descriptions inert. Diagrams and photographs fail to express adequately the rhythmic integration of a series of elementary motions which result in translatory progression of the body. These rapid simultaneous events often exceed observational capacity of the human eye. Cinematography not only adds dimensions of velocity and acceleration to gait studies but also produces a record which slows down or stops motion to allow incisive analysis of various components of gait. Based on classical methods of observation and cinematography, the authors present a most comprehensive elementary dissertation on gait. They understand inherent limitations of such a book. Excellent sketches (wisely chosen over photographs) surmount some obstacles by depicting new observations and reenforcing old ones. Part 2, on pathological walking, effectively describes abnormal gaits, their effect on uninvolved parts of the body, and compensatory mechanisms used to