Speed of gait

• why does gait speed matter?

  • normal velocity = ~ 1.5 m/s
  • after stoke = 0.23 - 0.73 m/s
  • after hip replacement = 0.4 - 1.2 m/s
• Walking speeds between 0 - 0.6 m/s

  • more likely to be dependent during ADLs
  • more likely to be hospitalised
  • need intervention to reduce risk of falls
  • need nursing homes
• Walking speeds from 1 - 1.4 m/s

  • independent in ADLs
  • less likely to be hospitalised
  • less likely to have adverse event
• Walking speed is a key determinant:

  • quality of life
  • functional independence
  • community engagement
  • health status
  • health decline
  • hospitalisation
• 4 power phases that determine speed of gait:

  • plantarflexor push off
  • quadriceps during push off
  • hip flexor pull off
  • hamstring deceleration

  
• Concentric plantarflexors at push off:

  • strong correlation between force of push off generated by plantarflexors and speed of walking
  • weak plantarflexors would mean slower speed
• Eccentric knee extensors during push off:

  • when the plantarflexors are working the quadriceps need to work as well to prevent the knee from flexing too much
  • if not, all the force created by the plantarflexors would be dissipated by the knee flexing
• Concentric hip flexors during acceleration of swing phase:

  • outer range rapid contraction to produce a pull off
  • this accelerates the swing phase
• Eccentric hamstrings during deceleration of swing phase:

  • the hamstring decelerate swing phase to allow the foot to be brought down accurately and quickly
  • outer range, eccentric contraction
• Measuring gait speed:

  • 10 metre space
  • 5 metres before - acceleration zone
  • 5 metres after - deceleration zone
  • time person from when they enter the 10 metre zone until the reach the deceleration zone