sammupikkust

Sammupikkust is an Estonian term used in biomechanics to denote stride length, the distance covered in one full gait cycle. In gait analysis it is defined as the distance between successive contacts of the same foot with the ground. This distinguishes it from step length, which is the distance between successive contacts of opposite feet.

Measurement of sammupikkust can be done with various methods, including motion capture systems, wearable inertial sensors, video analysis, instrumented treadmills, and force platforms. In clinical and sports settings, sammupikkust provides a concise indicator of walking or running efficiency and symmetry, and it is often reported together with cadence and speed.

Typical values for sammupikkust depend on height, leg length, and gait speed. At comfortable walking speeds, adults commonly exhibit stride lengths roughly in the range of about 1.2 to 1.8 meters, with longer values generally associated with taller individuals and faster speeds. During running, stride length increases substantially with speed, while cadence tends to decrease or stabilize depending on technique and conditioning. Age, footwear, surface, and health conditions can also influence sammupikkust, sometimes reducing it in cases of orthopedic or neurological impairment.

Applications of sammupikkust include clinical gait assessment, rehabilitation planning, performance analysis in sports, and ergonomic design. It is often used alongside other metrics, such as step length, cadence, and gait variability, to gain a comprehensive view of locomotor function.