Steglängden

Steglängden, or step length, is the distance covered by one step during walking or running. It is defined as the distance between successive initial contacts of opposite feet—i.e., from the moment the left foot contacts the ground to the moment the right foot contacts the ground (or vice versa). This measure is a key component of gait analysis and is distinct from stride length, which refers to the distance between successive contacts of the same foot.

The value of steglängden varies with many factors, including height, leg length, walking speed, and technique. In adults it commonly falls in a range roughly around 0.6 to 0.8 meters, while stride length is typically about twice as long. Other determinants include cadence, surface incline, footwear, and fatigue. Changes in steglängden can indicate alterations in mobility or the presence of neurological or musculoskeletal conditions.

Measurement methods range from laboratory to real-world settings. In clinical gait labs, motion capture systems, force plates, and pressure-sensitive mats provide precise estimates. Wearable devices such as inertial measurement units (IMUs) and smart insoles allow portable assessment. Steglängden is routinely used in gait assessment for diagnosis, rehabilitation planning, prosthetics and orthotics design, and monitoring aging or disease-related mobility changes. It often complements other metrics like cadence and velocity to give a full picture of walking function.

Relation to speed: velocity (walking speed) is approximately the product of steglängden and cadence (steps per unit time). Longer step lengths or higher cadences generally increase walking speed, though changes in one can influence the other.