Gait analysis is the study of human walking (gait) to understand the mechanics and patterns involved. It can be used for various purposes, including clinical diagnosis, rehabilitation, sports performance enhancement, and research.
GAIT ANALYSIS
GAIT ANALYSIS
Components of Gait Analysis
Kinematics:
- Motion Capture: Uses cameras and markers placed on the body to track movement.
- Joint Angles: Measures the angles of joints during walking.
- Stride Length: The distance covered between successive steps of the same foot.
- Cadence: The number of steps per minute.
Kinetics:
- Ground Reaction Forces (GRFs): The forces exerted by the ground on the body during walking.
- Joint Moments and Powers: Calculations of the forces and power generated at the joints.
Temporal and Spatial Parameters:
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- Step Length: The distance between the initial contact of one foot and the initial contact of the other foot.
- Stride Time: The time it takes to complete one full gait cycle (two steps).
- Swing Phase: The part of the gait cycle when the foot is in the air.
- Stance Phase: The part of the gait cycle when the foot is on the ground.
Techniques and Tools
Motion Capture Systems:
- Optical Systems: Use infrared cameras and reflective markers.
- Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs): Use accelerometers and gyroscopes to capture motion without cameras.
Force Plates:
- Measure the forces exerted on the ground during walking.
- Provide data on GRFs.
Pressure Mats:
- Measure the distribution of pressure under the feet.
- Useful for detecting areas of high pressure that might lead to injury.
Wearable Sensors:
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- Small sensors placed on the body to measure movement and muscle activity.
- Include accelerometers, gyroscopes, and electromyography (EMG) sensors.
Applications of Gait Analysis
Clinical Diagnosis:
- Neurological Disorders: Diagnosis and monitoring of conditions like Parkinson’s disease, cerebral palsy, and stroke.
- Orthopedic Issues: Assessment of joint problems, limb length discrepancies, and the effectiveness of prosthetics or orthotics.
Rehabilitation:
- Tracking progress in physical therapy.
- Designing personalized rehabilitation programs.
Sports Performance:
- Enhancing athletic performance by analyzing and improving running and walking mechanics.
- Preventing injuries by identifying faulty movement patterns.
Research:
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- Studying the biomechanics of human movement.
- Investigating the effects of different interventions on gait.