Gait pattern is a complex movement pattern that depends on many factors. Changes can have a significant impact on mobility and quality of life.
What is gait pattern?
Gait pattern is the term used to describe the visual impression a person gains when observing the movement process of walking another. The term gait image is the name given to the visual impression a person gains when observing the motion process of another’s walking. Not only the cyclic leg movements are included in the perception, but also the dynamic and static elements in other parts of the body. Since this is a movement process that occurs every day, everyone has some kind of normal gait pattern in mind with which they compare their observations. Deviations are classified as gait pattern changes. The criteria used for the comparison cannot be objectified, they are only based on empirical values. A normal gait pattern is characterized by flowing, rhythmic and well-coordinated movements of the legs and arms with an upright posture of the trunk and head. The professional observation of walking, called gait analysis, uses certain parameters for assessment. For some of these criteria there are standard values with which what is observed can be compared, but they do not provide objective measurement values, only orientation possibilities. These are characteristics such as stride length, track width, stride frequency, gait tempo, and gait rhythm.
Function and task
Walking in all its variations is an essential movement process that ensures a person’s mobility and thus a large part of his or her activities and participation in social life. The gait pattern is the individual expression for the shaping of this process. Basically, the whole body is involved in the movement process, either dynamically or statically. Leg movements form the basis for actual locomotion, as the right and left extremities accomplish propulsion of the body in alternating cycles. A gait cycle of a leg includes a stance phase and a swing leg phase. The execution varies from individual to individual and depends on both physical conditions and movement habits. As a rule, the movement amplitudes used are equal and the entire movement sequence is rhythmic, which means that the gait cycles are approximately the same length when compared laterally. The stride length may vary and deviate from the standard value (1.5 – 2 foot lengths), depending on the leverage ratios. People with relatively long legs compared to the torso tend to take rather long strides; reverse length ratios result in small strides. The track width and the position of the feet are very much dependent on the position of the hip joints and the expression of the leg axis. The pelvis accompanies the swing leg movement with a forward rotation, taking the lumbar spine along for a bit. The abductors ensure that the half of the pelvis that is suspended in the air remains horizontal and does not tilt. The arms swing in opposition to the lifting of the legs, with the impulse for movement coming from the shoulders and elbows, but the amplitude of movement is usually relatively small. The shoulder girdle and adjacent thoracic spine rotate in unison with the arm movements. Otherwise, the upper body is stabilized in the upright posture, with only minor lateral deviations. Normally, the entire gait pattern is a well-coordinated interaction of all associated components. The free movements of the legs and arms are purposeful and as direct as possible. All stabilizing elements are possible without difficulty and without great muscular effort, and no irritations occur.
Diseases and complaints
Gait changes can have a variety of causes. Local diseases or injuries of the legs affect the functions of the lower extremities or pelvis. Wear of the articular cartilage in hip osteoarthritis is often compensated for with a typical dodging pattern, which is seen by leaning the upper body to one side during the stance phase. A waddling gait pattern develops. As this disease progresses, the affected leg is increasingly spared and the muscles degenerate. This affects very early the muscles that hold the pelvis in a horizontal position during walking.Due to the insufficiency of the abductors, it drops on the swing leg side, resulting in the so-called Trendelenburg limp. Unilateral movement restrictions in the hip or knee joints alter the gait rhythm by shortening either the associated stance or swing leg phase on the affected side. Hip flexors with decreased extensibility restrict hip extension, causing early termination of the stance leg phase on the affected side. Pressure-related pain resulting from injury can have the same consequences. This type of gait alteration is referred to as a limp in normal speech. Neurological diseases can also significantly modify the gait pattern. In Parkinson’s disease, the stride length is often significantly shortened on both sides, resulting in the typical small-stepped, tripping gait. Coordinative changes can be the result of a stroke or occur in diseases that result in ataxia. Hemiplegics usually develop a spastic extension pattern in the leg after a flaccid phase, which significantly alters the movement patterns during walking. In the swing leg phase, the extended leg is brought forward inward with a circular motion originating in the pelvis and touched down with the forefoot. This is followed by a short stance leg phase in which the other leg is quickly placed forward. A gait pattern develops with changes in coordination and rhythm. Ataxic movement disorders are complex symptoms of central neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis or congenital ataxias. Both the execution of purposeful movements and the holding and stabilization of positions can be disturbed. When walking, this is subjectively noticeable as unsteadiness, which is compensated by widening the track and putting the feet forward in short wobbly steps. A similar gait pattern occurs after copious alcohol consumption.
