Off-Campus Assignment: Gait Exercises

Brittany Dey
The University of Guelph-Humber
March 24, 2014

Gait is a motion of limbs that propels the human figure forward, also known as walking
(Merriam Webster, 2014). Although the task of walking may appear to be simple in everyday
life, this is not always the case. Many abnormalities are seen in the motions of gait. This could
result from diseases or injury, such as arthritis, myositis, fractures, and tendonitis. Changes in
gait may also be due to something small as wearing either poorly made or wrong size shoe. Gait
abnormalities can be seen in those who are born with a muscle or bone deformity, or it can be
developed overtime with age. Some examples of gait abnormalities include:
* Scissors gait, this is when the body appears to be almost crouching. The legs are flexed at the
hips and knees, resulting in the thighs and knees to hit or cross in a scissor-like fashion.
* Propulsive gait, this is a stiffened posture that causes the head and neck to bend forward.
* Spastic gait, in which a leg or foot becomes stiff. This causes a foot-dragging motion.
* And finally, waddling gait. This is a duck-like walk that could appear in early childhood or
later in life (Medline Plus, 2014).
Gait exercises target specific muscles to allow movement for walking. Weakness is such
muscles could contribute to a variety of stride abnormalities. Hip extensors, along with
hamstring and gluteus maximus are the main contributors to straightening the hip joint during
gait. The quadriceps is the most prominent in the extension of the knee, providing the motion of
straightening ones leg. The calf muscles, which include the gastrocnemius and soleus, enable
plantar flexion. Plantar flexion occurs during rolling onto the front of the foot with each step.
Whereas the dorsiflexor muscles provide flexion at the ankle, this allows the foot to be pointed
up every step forward (Bremer, 2005).
Specific exercises are utilized to improve the ability of walking, they need a variety of
resistance and balancing movements, the key mixture of strength, flexibility and balance enables
lower body muscles to perform the motion of gait. Balancing acts, such as standing on one foot
or turning ones head/tilting head side to side while performing a balancing exercise aids in
improving functional gait. Bands can aid in improving muscle strength of the foot by placing it
either above or below the foot to create a resistance to both dorsiflexion and plantar flexion
movements. Weights can also be used in progressing exercises of balance and strength.
By preforming exercise to improve gait and balance, one would see improvement in not
only the function of walking but posture as well as decrease the risks associated with falling, this
is especially seen in older individuals.
Balancing exercises include:
* Two-leg balance, in which the client is seen to have poor balancing skills. The client stands
facing a corner of a room with one hand on each wall, and quickly glances from one wall to
another. This exercise is for beginners and for those that need specific help with balancing when
walking.

* One-leg balance, this is a progression from the two-leg balance. The client may hold a wall if
needed, and balances on one foot. If the client finds this exercise to be easy, have them complete
it with eyes closed.
* Heel/Toe walking, this where the client walks alongside a wall or stable surface. Their heels is
placed in front of the others foots toe while walking.
Strengthening exercises include:
* Using a resistance band on the foot, having the client move only their foot and keeping their
shank still. This can be used to improve dorsiflexion and plantar flexion.
* Squatting, this can be either single legged with assistance or double legged. There is a variety
of squatting exercises that can be utilized for progression. Squatting works the quadriceps,
hamstrings, glutes, and hip flexors.
* Calf raises, this strengthens the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles. These muscles aid with gait
movement. This can be completed either single or double legged.
Stretching exercises include:
* Single leg hamstring stretch, this enables a loosening of the muscle. A stiff hamstring would
cause the stride to be shorter in length. If the hamstring muscle is stiff, it would pull during gait,
this would limit movement.
* Dynamics exercises such as hamstring dip, high knees, butt kicks, etc. These movements create
stretches with walking. This gives clients an opportunity to progress as well stretch the important
muscles utilized during gait.

References

Bremer, M. (2005). What is Gait and Balance Training?. Retrieved from http://www.vital-agingnetwork.org/files/media/balance.pdf
Medline Plus. (2014). Walking Abnormalities. Retrieved from
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003199.htm
Merriam Webster. (2014). Gait. Retrieved from http://www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/gait