Gait Analysis

Understanding How You Move

Gait analysis is a detailed study of how people walk and run. It uses special technology to measure your body’s movements, how your mechanics work, and how your muscles are active. This helps experts see how efficiently you move, find any problems, and improve your movement for recovery, preventing injuries, or boosting performance.

What is "Gait"?

“Gait” is simply the pattern of how your legs move when you walk or run. It includes things like how long your steps are, how many steps you take per minute, your speed, how your joints (hips, knees, ankles) bend, and how your foot lands.

The walking cycle is usually broken into:

  • Stance Phase (60% of the time): When your foot is on the ground.
  • Swing Phase (40% of the time): When your foot is off the ground and moving forward.

What a Gait Analysis System Uses

Gait analysis system uses a mix of tools to measure your movement precisely:

  • Motion Capture: Cameras track markers on your body to see how you move in 3D.
  • Force Platforms: Special mats on the ground that measure how much force you put down.
  • Pressure Sensors: Mats that show how your weight is spread across your foot.
  • EMG (Electromyography): Measures muscle activity.
  • IMUs: Small sensors that track movement and rotation.
  • High-speed cameras: To record movements in slow motion.

These tools gather data, which is then analyzed by software to show how well you move, your joint movements, and muscle coordination.

Applications of Gait Analysis

• Diagnosis of gait disorders due to stroke, cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s disease, or amputations.
• Planning and monitoring physical therapy or prosthetic alignment.
• Optimizing running mechanics to enhance speed and endurance.
• Reducing risk of overuse injuries in athletes.
• Pre- and post-surgical evaluation (e.g., ACL reconstruction, hip/knee replacement).
• Identifying compensatory patterns or limb length discrepancies.
• Customized orthotics and footwear development.
• Addressing issues like plantar fasciitis, flat feet, or supination.
• Preventing workplace injuries by analysing walking or lifting mechanics.
• Designing supportive work environments.

Key Gait Parameters Assessed

  • Step length & stride length
  • Cadence (steps per minute)
  • Walking / running speed
  • Joint angles (hip, knee, ankle)
  • Stance/swing time ratio
  • Foot pressure distribution
  • Symmetry index
  • Muscle activation timing

Recent Innovations in Gait Analysis

AI-powered gait recognition for predictive diagnosis.

Smart insoles with embedded pressure sensors and wireless data transmission.

Machine learning models for fall risk prediction and gait classification.

Mobile gait labs for field-based assessments.

Integration with tele-rehabilitation platforms for remote monitoring.

A simple gait scan can help you prevent injuries and improve posture.

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