Discuss the mechanical analysis of walking in details.

Mechanical analysis of walking can be studied in two fields

Stance phaser: Stance phase is the time when the foot is on the ground. It is considered that it consists maximum percentage of the walking cycle. For the part of stance phase, both the feet have contact with the ground for a period of time.

The stance phase is divided into five stages:

Heel strike: This stage begins when the feet first touch the ground & continues until the complete foot is on the ground i. e- early flat foot stage.

Early flat foot: The starting of this stage is that movement when the complete foot is on the ground and early flat foot stage occurs when the body’s center of gravity passes over the top of the foot. The center of gravity of the body is located approx. in the pelvic area of the lowest spine while walking. The main purpose of the stage is to allow the foot to act as a shock absorber.

Late flat foot: An athlete into late flat foot stage when his body’s center of gravity passes in front of the neutral position. This stage lasts when the heel lifts off the ground. During this stage, the foot needs to go from being a shock absorber to being a rigid level which can help to propel the body in forwarding direction.

Heel raise: This stage starts when the heel begins to leave the ground. The foot functions are a rigid lever to move the body in forwarding direction. During this stage of walking, the ground forces that go through the foot are very effective. Toe off this stage begins when the toes leave the ground completely. This stage continues until the beginning of swing phase.

Swing phase: It occurs when one foot is on the ground & the other one is in the air. Swing phase in walking is shorter than the stance phase. It is divided into three phases-

Initial swings: This phase sees the hip extending to 10 degrees 7 then going on to flexion and knee flexed to 40-60 degree & the ankle changing its position from the flexion to neutral.

Mid-swing: This phase sees the hip extending to 30 degrees, the knee flexion to 60 degrees & extended approx. to 30 degrees & ankle become dorsiflexed.

Terminal swing: This phase is the hip flexed till30 degree & the knee is locked extension & foot changes its position from dorsiflexed to neutral.