Gait cycle

Walking is the most convenient way to travel short distances. Free joint mobility and appropriate muscle force increases walking efficiency. As the body moves forward, one limb typically provides support while the other limb is advanced in preparation for its role as the support limb. The gait cycle (GC) in its simplest form is comprised of stance and swing phases. The stance phase further is subdivided into 3 segments, including (1) initial double stance, (2) single limb stance, and (3) terminal double limb stance.

Each double stance period accounts for 10% of the GC, while single stance typically represents 40% (60% total). The 2 limbs typically do not share the load equally during double stance periods. The swing phase for this same limb is the remaining 40% of the GC. Ipsilateral swing temporally corresponds to single stance by the contralateral limb. Slight variations occur in the percentage of stance and swing related to gait velocity. Duration of each aspect of stance decreases as walking velocity increases. The transition from walking to running is marked by elimination of double support period(s).

A stride is the equivalent of a GC. The duration of a stride is the interval between sequential initial floor contacts by the same limb. A step is recognized as the interval between sequential floor contacts by ipsilateral and contralateral limbs. Two steps make up each GC, which is roughly symmetric in normal individuals.

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