Gait Analysis
Walking is an efficient cyclic, bilaterally symmetrical universal pattern which can be adapted according to various surfaces
at a range of speed. The way a person walks is their gait and the study of a person’s way of walking is gait analysis.
While a normal gait is uneventful, an abnormal gait has tremendous psychological, functional and economic repercussions.
People with cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, neurological and even psychological disorders display changes in Gait.
One Gait cycle in normal walking begins with heel strike of the reference extremity and ends when it occurs again. Observa-
tional gait analysis was and as yet is the primary method of analysis. This can be further supported by measurements using
goniometers; scrutinizing gait recorded using digital video and at times conducting measurements using doing video anlayt-
ics & Plantar Pressure Transfer tracking using a plantar measurement systems.
Stride
Stance Swing
Weight Single Limb Limb
Acceptance Support Advancement
Initial Loading Mid Terminal Pre Initial Mid Terminal
Contact Response Stance Stance Swing Swing Swing Swing
heelstrike footflat midstance pushoff acceleration midswing deceleration
60% of gait cycle 40% of gait cycle
Human Gait Can Be Studied As
Temporal phases (stance/swing) and events (foot-strike, toe-off), stride rate, Time-distance measurements
Kinematics - the science of motion. In human movement, it is the study of the positions, angles, velocities, and accelera-
tions of body segments and joints during motion, stride length, velocity, ranges of motion, acceleration
Kinetic techniques - Study of forces that cause motion ground reaction forces, plantar pressure patterns, plantar Pres-
sure transfer, joint forces, and movements
Gait Analysis on Ohm 3000
Ohm 3000, a plantar pressure measurement system, can do a Gait analysis!! Although there are some limitations due to
presence of only one pressure mat, it can do a complete pressure transfer tracking during the stance phase of the Gait cycle.
The subject is asked to walk across the pressure sensing area of the plantar pressure mat.
left stride
left step
steps width
left foot angle
line of
right step progression
right stride heel center foot angle
Pharmacological:
Gait Analysis © copyright 2019
Plantar Pressure Distribution
During the stance phase of the gait, one can visualize using a dynamic visualization of the pressures exerted on the sens-
ing pressure mat indicating any high and low pressure areas and abnormal distributions that indicate the extent of gait
adjustment done by the subject due to his/her condition. Additional synchronized videos help make subjects understand
the problem while correlating findings with the video.
COP (Center of Pressure)
The Center of Pressure is the point where the ground reaction force vector applies. During walking, the center of pressure
is near the heel at the time of heel strike and moves anteriorly throughout the step, being located near the toes at toe-off.
For this reason, the analysis of the movement of the center of pressure during the dynamic Gait cycle informs us of the
combined impact of ground forces and its travel and deviation indicates the dysfunction and also helps track the progress
of treatment.
Plantar Pressure Tracker
The plantar pressure tracker tracks time, pressure, location (region of foot) and computes almost 30 parameters that
indicate nature of gait. Example: Stance time, mid-foot contact time, forefoot loading slope, heel peak pressure, COP
deviation etc. It provides a graph of pressure against time, where the peak pressure from heel strike to toe off is visualized
over time for a single and both limbs. This graph is relatable to the different phases of the gait cycle. Problems in the
stance phase can be accurately visualized with this. Moreover, it can also be compared with the contralateral foot.
Plantar Pressure Gait Analysis
Deviations in metrics of gait can be an indicator for providing interventions.
In diabetics, orthotics, custom-made insoles and shoes can be prescribed after visualization of higher pressure areas
In patients post ACL reconstruction dynamic, functional and proprioceptive training can be prescribed following plan
tarpressure analysis
In case of abnormal gait (hemiplegic or circumductory gait) patterns, specific functional training to improve gait
A patient with osteoarthritis of right knee, on dynamic analysis will present with higher pressure, increased stance
time and foot contact time on the unaffected or normal foot in comparison to the affected foot.
In Parkinson’s disease patients, the LSVT can be delivered and analysis of freezing phenomenon can be done
Functional gait training in rehabilitation of a hemiplegic patient can be planned after evaluating their gait parameters
with the help of pedobarography
COP movement
LEFT
Hind foot
Fore foot
Left foot
Pressure(Kpa)
RIGHT
Hind foot
Fore foot
Right foot
BOTH
Left foot
Right foot
Heelstrike Footflat Midstance Pushoff
Time
Fig: Normal plantar pressure during stance phase of gait Fig: Normal Plantar Pressure Tracker
LEFT
Hind foot
Fore foot
Left foot
Pressure(Kpa)
RIGHT
Hind foot
Fore foot
Right foot
BOTH
Left foot
Heelstrike Footflat Midstance Pushoff Right foot
Fig: 22yrs old male with spastic diplegia, post knee tendon release. Time
Complete foot contact in the begining of the stance phase Fig: Plantar Pressure Tracker
1. Susan B. O’Sullivan, Thomas J. Schmitz & George D. Fulk- Physical Rehabilitation, 6th 2. Nick A. Guidemond- Plantar Pressure Measurement- Plantar Pressure, Diabetes
Edition, 2014: page 251- 300 And Amputation Studies On Etiological, Diagnostic And Therapeutical Aspects- 2007
Chapter 2: Page 27- 68
© copyright 2019
KAN INNOVATIONS PVT. LTD.
B-2, Shri Gajanan CHS, www.ohmsmat.com
Lt Dilip Gupte Rd, Mahim, Mumbai 400016. INDIA
