Sagittal Plane Kinematics Lower-limb walking pattern

1 sagittal plane kinematics

1.1 hip
1.2 knee
1.3 ankle (talocrural)

sagittal plane kinematics
hip

at heel contact hip maximally flexed @ approximately 30 degrees. hip extensor muscles active , prepared extend hip prevent uncontrolled trunk flexion on femur. once foot flat on ground, hip gradually extends in preparation weight acceptance whole-body moves forward on stance foot. between 30-50% of gait cycle, hip flexor muscles eccentrically acting hip continues extend, until reaching maximal extension @ approximately 10-15 degrees past neutral. max extension takes place right before toe off. hip flexors concentrically act initiate hip flexion swing phase. overall, approximately 30 degrees of flexion , 10 degrees of extension (from neutral) needed @ hip joint normal walking pattern.

knee

the knee has more complex movement pattern compared hip. @ heel contact knee extensor , flexor muscles co-contract provide stability knee joint since maximally extended @ point in time. shortly after, foot becomes flat on ground, knee gradually flexes approximately 10-15 degrees reaching maximum @ 15% of gait cycle. small amount of knee flexion controlled eccentrically knee extensor muscles serve purpose of cushioning rate of loading on lower-limb , preventing excessive knee flexion. following through mid-and terminal stance, knee gradually extends concentric activity of knee extensor muscles , approaches near full extension heel off occurs (30-40% of gait cycle). @ point knee flexor muscles concentrically flex knee again swing phase. maximum knee flexion occurs during swing 60 degrees.

ankle (talocrural)

sagittal plane motions of ankle occur @ talocrural joint. heel contacts ground ankle joint near neutral in either slight plantar flexion or dorsiflexion. following heel strike ankle plantar flexes until foot positioned flat on ground. plantar flexion movement controlled eccentrically ankle dorsiflexors. body glides on fixed foot, maximum of 10 degrees of ankle dorsiflexion reached. ankle dorsiflexion result of tibia moving forward on foot , facilitated eccentric control provided soleus. concurrently, knee reaches full extension , heel rises off ground ankle begins plantar flex. ankle reaches maximum of 15-20 degrees of plantar flexion right before push-off accomplished concentrically plantar flexor muscles. right after toe off ankle dorsiflexed neutral position toe clearance during swing phase.