Phases of Walking:

Summary of Muscle Function in Level
Walking
Muscle Group
|
Main Function
|
Abnormalities if Weak
|
Hip Flexors
|
Acceleration of Swing
|
Backward lurch and pelvic tilt to initiate swing as seen in
hemiplegia
|
Hip Abductors
|
Stabilize pelvis in stance
Control drop of pelvis
|
Trendelenburg or contralateral hip drop
|
Hip Extensor
|
Stabilize pelvis, and stance
|
Backward lurch, or jacknife with quick step on contralateral side
|
Quadriceps
|
Absorb shock at heel strike and support knee at stance
|
Lock knee during stance and tendency to hyperextend
|
Hamstrings
|
Deceleration of swing phase
|
May overshoot at end of swing and "slam into extension"
|
Ankle DF & Toe Extensors
|
Control foot hitting the ground "slap" and lift the foot
during swing
|
Steppage gait, toe-heel gait, vault up on opposite leg or circumduct
around
|
Ankle PF & Toe Flexors
|
Push off at the end of stance phase
|
Absence of push off and small steps with poor balance and slow speed
|
- Hip Flexors start the swing
- Hip Extensors, especially hamstrings, decelerate the leg at the end of swing
- Knee extensors contract eccentrically at heel-strike to prevent buckling of knee
- Dorsiflexors act to hold toe off floor during swing, and to prevent foot slap at heel strike (act to slow plantar flexion), another eccentric contraction
- Plantar flexors act during push off
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