Gait
Overview
Gait is the pattern of movement of the limbs of animals, including humans, during locomotion over a solid substrate. Most animals use a variety of gaits, selecting gait based on speed, terrain, the need to maneuver, and energetic efficiency. Different animal species may use different gaits due to differences in anatomy that prevent use of certain gaits, or simply due to evolved innate preferences as a result of habitat differences. While various gaits can be observed in all animals, in humans, gait types can be categorized into a few basic types.
Gait Analysis
Gait analysis is the systematic study of animal locomotion, more specifically the study of human motion, using the eye and the brain of observers, augmented by instrumentation for measuring body movements, body mechanics, and the activity of the muscles. Gait analysis is used to assess, plan, and treat individuals with conditions affecting their ability to walk. It is also commonly used in sports biomechanics to help athletes run more efficiently and to identify posture-related or movement-related problems in people with injuries.
Gait Types in Humans
In humans, there are two main types of gait: walking and running.
Walking
Walking is a gait which has a phase where both feet are on the ground, called double support phase, that is not present during running. When walking, a person's center of gravity vaults over the stance leg or legs in an inverted pendulum motion.
Running
Running is a type of gait characterized by an aerial phase in which all feet are above the ground (though there are exceptions). This is in contrast to walking, where one foot is always in contact with the ground. The term running can refer to any of a variety of speeds ranging from jogging to sprinting.
Gait Abnormalities
Gait abnormalities are unusual and uncontrollable walking patterns, usually due to diseases or injuries to the legs, feet, brain, spine, or inner ear. They are a common and often overlooked cause of falls in older adults. Gait abnormalities can significantly reduce a person's ability to remain mobile and carry out the activities of daily living that maintain them in a community setting.
Gait in Other Animals
In animals, gait types can be categorized into a few basic types: walking, running, bounding, and galloping. The specific gait that an animal uses depends on its speed, the roughness of the ground, the presence of obstacles, and other factors.
Gait in Robotics
In robotics, gait refers to the locomotion modes that can be generated by a robot. It is a pattern of limb movements made during locomotion. Gait generation and control is a key area of research in the field of robotics.