The Gait Cycle
The sequences for walking that occur may be summarized as follows:[1]
Registration and activation of the gait command within the central nervous system
Transmission of the gait systems to the peripheral nervous system
Contraction of muscles
Generation of several forces
Regulation of joint forces and moments across synovial joints and skeletal segments
Generation of ground reaction forces
Classification of the gait cycle involves two main phases: the stance phase and the swing phase. The stance phase occupies 60% of the gait cycle while the swing phase occupies only 40% of it.[3] Gait involves a combination of open- and close-chain activities.[2]
A more detailed classification of gait recognizes six phases:[2][3]
Heel Strike
Foot Flat
Mid-Stance
Heel-Off
Toe-Off
Mid-Swing