The Gait Cycle

Gait is the sequence of motions that our body must go through every time we place one foot in front of the other. Whilst there are many sequences of movement the body can undertake, such as the upward and downward arm motion of painting a wall, or the orbital leg action of riding a pedal cycle; walking isthe single most reptitive motion that any human being will undertake during their lifetime.

Whether it is walking, jogging or running, with every step we take, we are performing a sequence of motions that are imperative to our strength, stability and motion. Our physical body is simply a machine that transforms natural forces into motion. It takes in gravity and ground reaction forces, mixes it up with our own will and energy, and outputs the desired motion.

Gravity and ground reaction forces are powerful, and without the right structure and mechanisms in place to control them, our body is unable to efficiently transform them into effortless motion or alert stillness.

Whether it is crawling across the floor, or feeling the natural swing of the arms in opposite action to the motion of the legs, an underlying cross-crawl pattern exists throughout the body. Watching a four-legged animal walk makes us aware of the co-ordination between left and right, front and back with every step.

The skeletal structure requires proper alignment of the bones throughout the body, both when standing and during motion. The muscles that wrap around the bones do so in a spiralling double helix formation, keeping all the joints together and the structure secure and upright against the forces of gravity and ground reaction forces.