Gait analysis is the process of quantification and interpretation of human locomotion. The gait may reflect compensations for underlying pathologies, or be responsible for causation of symptoms in itself. Aside from clinical applications, gait analysis is widely used in professional sports training to optimise and improve atheletic performance.

Normal or Standard Gait

So that the aforementioned pathologies may be identified and isolated, it becomes essential to understand the characteristics of what has been termed 'Normal Gait'. M W Whittle in his book 'Gait Analysis' defined this normal gait as 'A method of locomotion involving the use of the two legs, alternately, to provide both support and propulsion'.
(On normal gait) A method of locomotion involving the use of the two legs, alternately, to provide both support and propulsion:M W Whittle



Webster puts it in somewhat more compact terms in expressing Gait in terms of 'Manner of walking or stepping; bearing or carriage while moving.'. Even the noted bard, Shakespeare, seems to have been adept in Gait Analysis, in Julius C?ser Act I Scene 3, Cassius utters that 'T is Cinna; I do know him by his gait'.
'T is Cinna; I do know him by his gait:Cassius, Julius C?ser A1/S3, Shakespeare
Gait however, whilst so seemedly innate in its perception, is very complex in its definition, both analytically and statistically.

Gait Stages

Gait is composed of periodic cycles, with a gait cycle time representing the time between two successive occurances of the same event in gait.




Gait Stages

Inital Contact (heel strike)

(Loading response)

Opposite toe off

(Mid stance)

Heel rise

(Terminal Stance)

Opposite initial contact

(Pre-swing)

Toe off

(Initial swing)

Feet adjacent

(Mid swing)

Tibia vertical

(Terminal swing)


Gait is characterised by a number of discrete stages, as listed above. The time periods between each stage are itemised within brackets, and are seperately named. It will be noted that the overall gait is divided into a stance phase, the foot being in static contact with terra firma therein, and a swing phase, the foot being seperated from the ground until the duration be exhausted.

The stages of gait analysis are outlined in Gait Stages.