Muscle Activity During Gait
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Joint Moment[edit | edit source]
The body should be in equilibrium during gait, therefore the external ground reaction forces (GRF) (external moment) should be balanced by the internal muscle forces (internal moment).[1] Different muscles perform different actions at every phase to create an internal moment against the external joint moment. Ground reaction force vectors create the direction of moment and the muscle will act in the opposite direction. If the ground reaction force falls anterior to the axis of the joint, the proximal segment of the joint will move anteriorly and if the ground reaction force falls posterior to the axis of the joint, the proximal segment of the joint with move posteriorly. Muscles can contract concentrically or eccentrically to overcome the external moment. During a concentric muscle contraction, the muscle shortens and there is movement at the joint, whereas during an eccentric contraction the muscle lengthens while producing force.
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Breakdown of Gait Cycle Phases and Sub-Phases[edit | edit source]
Stance Phase[edit | edit source]
Initial Contact (or Heel Strike) - 0%
The moment the foot touches the ground and begins the first phase of double support. Its function is to establish contact with the ground surface and initiate weight acceptance.[2]
Joint | Kinetics | |
---|---|---|
Ankle | External forces | Internal forces/ Muscle Action |
|
Internal dorsiflexion moment
Eccentric contraction of dorsiflexors:
| |
Knee |
|
Internal flexion moment
Concentric contraction of knee flexors:
Eccentric contraction of knee extensors:
|
Hip |
|
Internal extensor moment
Concentric contraction of gluteal muscles (hip extensors):
|
Foot Flat (Loading Response) - 0-10%
Begins with initial contact and continues until the contralateral foot leaves the ground. The foot continues to accept weight and absorb shock by rolling into pronation.[2]
Joint | Kinetics | |
---|---|---|
External forces | Internal forces/Muscle Action | |
Ankle | GRF posterior to axis of rotation of ankle joint
External plantar flexion moment created |
Internal dorsiflexion moment
Concentric contraction of dorsiflexors Eccentric contraction of plantar flexors: gastrocnemius soleus Range of motion change in ankle 5° plantarflexion to 5° dorsiflexion, results in the shifting of GRF from posterior to anterior thus posterior musculature (plantarflexors) are used eccentrically to control dorsiflexion |
Knee | GRF posterior to axis of rotation of knee joint
External flexion moment created |
Internal extensor moment
Concentric contraction of knee extensors |
Hip | GRF anterior to axis of rotation of hip joint
External flexion moment created |
Internal extensor moment
Concentric contraction of hip extensors |
Midstance - 10-30%
Begins when the contralateral foot leaves the ground and continues until ipsilateral heel lifts off the ground. The body is supported by a single leg and begins to move from force absorption at impact to force propulsion forward.[2]
Joint | Kinetics | |
---|---|---|
External forces | Internal forces/Muscle Actions | |
Ankle | GRF anterior to axis of rotation of ankle
External dorsiflexion moment |
Internal plantar flexor moment
Concentric contraction of plantarflexors |
Knee | GRF anterior to axis of rotation of knee joint
External extension moment |
Internal flexor moment
Eccentric contraction of knee flexors |
Hip | GRF posterior to axis of rotation
External extension moment |
Internal flexor moment
Eccentric contraction of hip flexors |
Heel Off (or Terminal Stance) - 30-50%
Begins when the heel leaves the floor and continues until the contralateral foot contacts the ground. In addition to single limb support and stability, this event serves to propel the body forward. Bodyweight is divided over the metatarsal heads.[2]
Joint | Kinetics | |
---|---|---|
External forces | Internal forces/Muscle action | |
Ankle | GRF anterior to axis of rotation of ankle
External Dorsiflexion moment |
Internal plantarflexion moment
Concentric contraction of plantarflexors |
Knee | GRF anterior to axis of rotation of knee
External extensor moment |
Internal flexor moment
Concentric contraction of knee flexors |
Hip | GRF posterior to axis of rotation of hip
External extensor moment |
Internal flexor moment
Eccentric contraction of hip flexors |
Toe Off (or Preswing) - 50-60%
Begins when the contralateral foot contacts the ground and continues until the ipsilateral foot leaves the ground. Provides the final burst of propulsion as the toes leave the ground.[2]
Joint | Kinetics | |
---|---|---|
External Forces | Internal Forces/Muscle Action | |
Ankle | GRF anterior to axis of rotation of ankle
External dorsiflexion moment |
Internal plantarflexion moment
Eccentric contraction of plantarflexors Concentric contraction of dorsiflexors to propel the foot up |
Knee | GRF posterior to axis of rotation of knee
External flexion moment |
Internal extensor moment
Eccentric contraction of knee extensors Concentric contraction of knee flexors |
Hip | GRF posterior to axis of rotation of hip
External extensor moment |
Internal flexor moment
Concentric contraction of hip flexors |
Swing Phase[edit | edit source]
Ground reaction forces are not applicable to the swing phase as there is no contact with the ground. However, the muscles still contract concentrically or eccentrically as needed.[1]
Early Swing - 60-75%
Begins when the foot leaves the ground until it is aligned with the contralateral ankle. This event functions to advance the limb and shorten the limb for foot clearance.[2]
Kinematics/Joint motion | Muscle Action | |
---|---|---|
Ankle | Ankle moves from 20 of plantarflexion at Toe Off to 10 of plantarflexion at early swing | Concentric contraction of dorsiflexors |
Knee | Knee moves from 30 flexion to 60 flexion | Eccentric contraction of knee extensors and concentric contraction of knee flexors |
Hip | Hip moves into flexion | Concentric contraction of hip flexors |
Mid-Swing - 75-85%
Begins from the ankle and foot alignment and continues until the swing leg tibia is vertical. As in early swing, it functions to advance the limb and shorten the limb for foot clearance.[2]
Kinematics/Joint motion | Muscle Action | |
---|---|---|
Ankle | Ankle moves from 10 of plantarflexion to 0 of plantarflexion - moving into dorsiflexion | Concentric contraction of dorsiflexors |
Knee | Knee moves from 60 of flexion to 30 of flexion | Eccentric contraction of knee flexors |
Hip | Hip moves from 20 of flexion to 30 of flexion | Concentric contraction of hip flexors |
Late Swing/Deceleration - 85-100%
Begins when the swing leg tibia is vertical and ends with initial contact. Limb advancement slows in preparation.[2]
Kinematics/Joint motion | Muscle Action | |
---|---|---|
Ankle | Maintains a neutral position | Concentric and isometric contraction of dorsiflexors |
Knee | Knee moves from 3o flexion to o flexion | Eccentric contraction of knee flexors, then concentric contraction of knee flexors |
Hip | Hip moves from 20 flexion to 30 flexion | Concentric contraction of hip flexors |
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Hazari A, Maiya AG, Nagda TV. Kinematics and Kinetics of Gait. InConceptual Biomechanics and Kinesiology 2021 (pp. 181-196). Springer, Singapore.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 Magee DJ, Manske RC. Orthopedic physical assessment-E-Book. Elsevier Health Sciences; 2020 Dec 11.
- ↑ Alexandra Kopelovich. Ground Reaction Force During the Gait Cycle. Available from:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2RHvicAM2o[last accessed 15/09/2022]
- ↑ Alexandra Kopelovich. Gait Muscular Activity & Action. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuG87mRiY-8[last accessed 15/09/2022]