Gait cycle

Gait Cycle is a term used in locomotion studies to describe the sequence of movements that an individual makes with their feet while walking or running. The gait cycle is divided into two main phases: the stance phase and the swing phase.

Stance Phase

The stance phase is the part of the gait cycle where the foot is in contact with the ground. It begins when the heel of the foot first makes contact with the ground (heel strike) and ends when the toes leave the ground (toe off). The stance phase accounts for about 60% of the gait cycle.

Swing Phase

The swing phase is the part of the gait cycle where the foot is not in contact with the ground. It begins when the toes leave the ground (toe off) and ends when the heel of the foot makes contact with the ground again (heel strike). The swing phase accounts for about 40% of the gait cycle.

Phases of the Gait Cycle

The gait cycle can be further divided into several sub-phases, each of which involves specific movements and muscle activations. These include:

• Initial contact: This is the moment when the foot first makes contact with the ground. It marks the beginning of the stance phase.
• Loading response: This is the period immediately after initial contact, during which the body's weight is transferred onto the foot that is on the ground.
• Midstance: This is the period during which the body's weight is directly over the foot that is on the ground.
• Terminal stance: This is the period during which the body's weight begins to shift off the foot that is on the ground.
• Pre-swing: This is the period immediately before the foot leaves the ground, marking the end of the stance phase and the beginning of the swing phase.
• Initial swing: This is the period immediately after the foot leaves the ground. It marks the beginning of the swing phase.
• Mid-swing: This is the period during which the foot is moving forward in the air.
• Terminal swing: This is the period immediately before the foot makes contact with the ground again, marking the end of the swing phase and the beginning of the next gait cycle.

Importance of the Gait Cycle

Understanding the gait cycle is important in many fields, including physiotherapy, orthopedics, sports science, and biomechanics. It can help in diagnosing and treating various conditions that affect locomotion, such as gait abnormalities, musculoskeletal disorders, and neurological disorders.

Gait cycle Resources
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