gait
Gait refers to the pattern of movement of the limbs during locomotion, especially walking. In humans, gait is a coordinated, cyclic sequence that involves alternating stance and swing phases of each leg. The gait cycle begins with heel strike, progresses through foot flat, mid-stance, and heel-off, and ends with toe-off as the limb enters swing. The stance phase accounts for about 60% of the cycle, the swing phase about 40%. Key spatial and temporal parameters include step length, stride length, cadence (steps per minute), and walking speed.
Normal gait depends on musculoskeletal integrity, neuromotor control, energy efficiency, and balance. Various pathologies produce characteristic
Gait analysis can be clinical (observational) or instrumented, using motion capture, force plates, pressure-sensitive walkways, and
Interventions include physical therapy to improve strength, flexibility, and balance; orthoses and assistive devices; proper footwear;