This document summarizes an assessment of gait and posture for a participant. The assessment identified some minor deviations including a slight left lean, rounded shoulders, and a forward head position. Possible causes were identified as tightness in certain muscles and weakness in opposing muscles. Corrections suggested included stretching, strengthening, and exercises. Minor deviations were also noted in the participant's walking and running gait. Recommendations to address pain and improve kinetic motion were provided.

1. Assessment of Gait and Posture
Chris Smith and Luke Merrill
Orthopedic Assessment I
MSAT – Kinesiology Department
Tarleton State University
Gait Assessment Posture Assessment
Devia1ons
Par$cipant exhibits a slight le2 lean from front and back views. In
the lateral views we see the shoulders are rounded and, the head
is slightly forward.
Possible causes and correc1ons
The slight le2 lean could be caused by a weak erector spinae
group and oblique $ghtness. Stretching the effected side can
resolve le2 side leaning. In conjunc$on with increased flexibility,
strengthening of the opposite side musculature can help bring
the body into a more normal posture.
Upper crossed syndrome is caused from $ghtness in the upper
trapezius muscle and pectoralis minor muscle, while exhibi$ng
weakness in the mid and lower trapezius. Simple correc$ons
include stretching the pectoralis minor muscles along with the
upper trapezius. Also, strengthening the mid and lower trapezius
will bring the shoulders to a more neutral posi$on.
The hip pain the par$cipant is feeling could be caused by weak or
$ght gluteal muscles, specifically the gluteus medius muscle
which is a primer mover in hip abduc$on and internal rota$on. In
the case of weak gluteus medius muscle, single leg rows or
clamshell exercises can help increase stability. This could alleviate
the soreness that is felt a2er a normal workday.
Pa1ent History
The par$cipant has had 2 children (oldest 4.5 years, youngest 18
months). Par$cipant has an ac$ve lifestyle that includes 4-5 days
of exercise each week by doing cardio, weights, and yoga. During
working hours the par$cipant is either at her desk (stand up desk
and wurf board standing surface) or in mee$ngs. Par$cipant
reported having mild hip soreness/pain and muscle $ghtness in
shoulders/neck region.
Posture set-up
There are 4 items (tape measure, goniometer, AlignaBod, and a
plumb-line) that are needed for a posture assessment. The
AlignaBod and plumb-line allow us to bisect a person and
compare anything that is asymmetrical. We then have the subject
stand in 4 posi$ons and take pictures to help with the assessment
process. When looking at these pictures we look for certain
landmarks that should be bisected by the mid line of the
AlignaBod and plumb-line.
Gait Assessment set-up
For the gait assessment, we needed to record walking
and running gait on a treadmill for 5 minutes each. One
minute into her walk and run, we recorded 1 minute clips
from the anterior, posterior, right and le2 sides of her
body. We visually inspected body devia$ons for a total of
10 minutes.
Devia1ons for walking gait
During the walking gait assessment, we no$ced an equal
arm swing, small stride width, average stride length and
no foot drag. The right $bia did rotate laterally whenever
her leg went forward before returning to neutral when
the movement was completed. Also, the big toe was
extended throughout the en$re walking assessment
Correc1ons for walking gait
Tibia rota$on could be corrected by decreasing the pain
in her hip through stretching and ROM exercises, which
should decrease the body compensa$on occurring.
Subject can focus on doing a heel to toe strike while
walking. To resolve toe extension subject should work on
toe flexor muscles. Toe flexion exercises with towel can
be used to achieve desired muscular balance.
Devia1ons for running gait
During the running gait assessment, we no$ced that the
shoulder and scapula were equal bilaterally compared to
a no$ceable side bend during normal stance. Normal
heel strike, while having an excessive swinging of both
legs and slight genu-valgum at the knees, were also
no$ced.
Correc1ons for running gait
The excessive swinging of both legs, along with the genu-
valgum at the knees could be caused by her lower body
compensa$ng for hip soreness. In order to correct this,
we recommend alterna$ng which hip her child is carried
on, along with ROM exercises. We also recommend
making a conscious effort on a mid-foot strike for a
be[er kine$c running mo$on.
Reflec1on
Posture is more than just telling someone to “sit up straight.” Posture is dynamic with influences coming all the way from gene$cs to how
you sleep. Our bodies are amazing and they will adapt to whatever forces or stresses that are put on it. Whether these forces are small or
large they can effect our daily life. Our par$cipant is healthy and doesn’t exhibit any dras$c postural devia$ons. Recommenda$ons provided
will not require any major changes to the subjects current lifestyle and can be easily performed during her normal day-to-day rou$ne.
Although minimal recommenda$ons were provide, they should improve the subjects posture and gait enough to no$ce changes over $me.