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GAIT ANALYSIS

Amy Bennett

Gait• Propulsion• Walking vs. running

Running Season• Experienced to novice • Upto 70%• Full body movement

Overuse Injuries• Recovery & regression• Anatomical alignment, muscular strength, & flexibility

What & Why

PHASES: FIRST

Heel Strike

Foot Flat

Mid-Stance

Heel-off

Toe-off

Stance

Biological movements/actions:• hip & knee flexion (swing into…)• dorsiflexion

Muscle Implications:• Quads / calves• Anterior tib / extensor hallicus longus / the extensor digitorum longus

What to look for:• slouching forward/ lack of bend in hip/knees• slapping of foot on ground

Heel Strike

Resistance Band dorsiflexion exercises

Seated toe lifts

Lack of Flexion (knee / hip):

Plyo ball hip swingstrengthening of hip adductors

** DROP foot: paralysis of ankle/foot dorsiflexors *** NOT the same

• nerve problem (common peroneal nerve sciatic nerve)

• lumbar injury, disc hernia, hip fracture, injury to knee, compartment syndrome … etc.

• most times must be referred out / more extensive medical care needed

Slap Foot:

PREVENTION EXERCISES:

Flat Foot:

Biological movements/actions:• beginning of hip & knee extension• plantarflexion • stabilization of trunk

Muscle Implications:• hamstring / glutes(max)• gastroc/soleus• erector spinae

What to look for:• “limp running” – improper shifting of weight

Biological movements/actions:• hip & knee extension• plantarflexion/ supination

Muscle Implications:• gluteus medius/ hip abductors• gastroc / soleus

What to look for:• Trendelenburg gait• knee remaining in flexion / overpronation (dramatic)

MID – STANCE:

PREVENTION EXERCISES

Knee / hip/ erector spinae Extension:Plyo Ball resistance knee extension

Standing dynamic one legged take offsGlute bridges

Plyo ball back extensions

Trendelenburg Gait: (bad – refer out for therapy)Hip abduction exercises (side lying / standing lateral raises)

Side step downs (gluteus medius)Lateral band walks

Overpronation: (bad – refer out for therapy)inversion Resistance band

Trigger point

Biological movements/actions:• beginning of knee flexion / hip hyperextension• plantarflexion/ supination

Muscle Implications:• iliopsoas / glutes (max) (hyperextension)• gastroc / soleus

What to look for:• lack of hyperextension (low back pain)• over supination (rare) (knee / hip lateral rotation)

HEEL - OFF

Biological movements/actions:• knee flexion / beginning of hip flexion• plantarflexion

Muscle Implications:• quads / calves• knee flexors (biceps femoris…)

What to look for:• lack of flexion of knee (drag)

TOE - OFF

Knee & Hip flexion• Plyoball Hip Swing

• strengthening of hip adductors

Oversupination•Towel foot grabs

• eversion resistance band• trigger point

PREVENTION EXERCISES

Swinging Phases

Initial / Acceleration swing

Mid Swing

Terminal / deceleration swing

PHASES: SECOND

Swing Phase

Biological movements/actions:• knee flexion / hip flexion some extension

• dorsiflexion less dorsiflexion actually proven to decrease strain on ant. Tibialis & calves

Muscle Implications:• quads / calves

• knee/ hip flexors

What to look for:• lack of hip flexion (externally rotated) strengthen adductors

• lack of heel to buttocks motion strengthen hamstrings• locked out knee in terminal swing ( hamstring strains) jumping/ soft landing exercises

RECOMMENDATIONS…

Running Mechanics and Gait Analysis By Ferber, Reed, Macdonald, Shari

- Anatomical alignment, - ground force reactions, - Eccentric/concentric muscles at work- common overuse injuries- Muscle imbalances- Muscle flexibility- Gait analysis

THANK YOU