This document discusses the spatial and temporal variables of gait. It defines key gait variables such as step length, stride length, base width, single and double leg stance times, step and stride times, cadence and gait speed. It provides the normal ranges and methods for measuring these important gait parameters.

1. SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL
VARIABLES OF GAIT
NITHIN NAIR
MPT - 1 (2017-18)
COMMUNITY PHYSIOTHERAPY

2. LEARNING OBJECTIVES
AFTERTHIS SESSION STUDENTS WILL BE ABLETO,
Enlist Temporal and Spatial variables of gait
Enumerate each variables of gait briefly

3. VARIABLES OF GAIT
SPATIAL VARIABLES
SINGLE LEG STANCE
DOUBLE LEG STANCE
STEP LENGTH
STRIDE LENGTH
BASE (STEP) WIDTH
DEGREE OF TOE OUT
TEMPORAL VARIABLES
SINGLE SUPPORT TIME
DOUBLE SUPPORT TIME
STEP TIME
STRIDE TIME
CADENCE
GAIT SPEED

4. VARIABLES OF GAIT
BASE WIDTH :
DISTANCE BETWEEN THE TWO FEET
CALCULATED – LINEAR DISTANCE BETWEEN
THE MIDPOINT OF HEELS OF BOTH THE FEET
NORMAL RANGE: 5 – 10 cm (2 to 4 inches)

5. VARIABLES OF GAIT
SINGLE LEG STANCE + SINGLE
SUPPORT TIME
OCCURS WHEN ONLY ONE LEG IS ON THE
GROUND
OCCURS TWICE IN GAIT CYCLE (40%)
AMOUNT OF TIME THAT ELAPSES WHEN
ONLY ONE EXTREMITY IS ON THE
SUPPORTING SURFACE

6. VARIABLES OF GAIT
DOUBLE LEG STANCE + DOUBLE
SUPPORT TIME
OCCURS WHEN BOTH THE FEET ARE
ON THE GROUND
OCCURS TWICE IN GAIT CYCLE (20%)
AMOUNT OF TIME SPENT WITH BOTH
THE FEET ON THE GROUND

7. VARIABLES OF GAIT
STEP LENGTH + STEP TIME
LINEAR DISTANCE BETWEEN TWO SUCCESSIVE POINTS
SUCCESSIVE POINTS OF CONTACT OF OPPOSITE
OPPOSITE EXTREMITIES
HEEL STRIKE (ONE EXTREMITY) – HEEL STRIKE (OTHER
EXTREMITY)
AVERAGE: 72 cm (28 inches)
AMOUNT OF TIME SPENT DURING SINGLE STEP
STEP
MEASURED: SECONDS/STEP

8. VARIABLES OF GAIT
STRIDE LENGTH + STRIDE TIME
LINEAR DISTANCE BETWEEN TWO
SUCCESSIVE EVENTS OF SAME LOWER
EXTREMITY
HEEL STRIKE (ONE EXTREMITY) – HEEL
EXTREMITY)
AVERAGE: 144 cm (56 inches)
AMOUNT OF TIME TAKEN TO ACCOMPLISH
ONE STRIDE (FULL GAIT CYCLE)

9. VARIABLES OF GAIT
CADENCE + GAIT SPEED
NUMBER OF STEPS PER MINUTE
AVERAGE : 90 – 120 steps / minute
DISTANCE COVERED IN A GIVEN AMOUNT
OF TIME
AVERAGE: 1.4 m / sec or 3 mph

10. VARIABLES OF GAIT
DEGREE OF TOE OUT
IT REPRESENTS ANGLE OF FOOT PLACEMENT
MEASUREMENT – ANGLE FORMED BY EACH FOOT’S LINE OF
LINE INTERSECTING THE CENTER OF HEEL AND THE SECOND TOE
MEN - 7°

12. REFERENCES
▪ Magee DJ. Orthopedic physical assessment. Elsevier Health Sciences; 2013 Dec 4; 6th ed.
981 – 987.
▪ Levangie PK, Norkin CC. Joint structure and function: a comprehensive analysis. FA Davis;
2011 Mar 9. 5th ed. 525 - 528
▪ Oatis CA. Kinesiology: the mechanics and pathomechanics of human movement.
Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2004 Jan. 2nd ed. 893 - 896
▪ Narayanan SL. Textbook of Therapeutic Exercises. 1st ed. 226 - 229