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Gait Cycle - Gait Cycles

A gait cycle is the individual and natural way locomotion is achieved in humans by using their limbs. As the gait cycle relates to the shoe industry, this article will discuss only the most relevant types of locomotion, which are walking and running.

Walking is something humans learn how to do during their infancy. Everyone has a different style of walking, but we all put one foot in front of the other with at least one leg having contact with the ground at all times. The walking gait is important because it affects which shoes are more appropriate for which feet due to the way the foot falls to the ground.

Running is identical to walking except that when humans run, they are actually airborne for a second in each of their strides. Running and walking also both require some movement in the arms, if only for the momentum. Running uses more energy than walking, thus the gait cycle is important to analyze, especially if you are an athlete.

Running at its highest level, known as sprinting, is the highest gait of a human being. Sprinting requires that most of the person’s weight is placed on or beyond the ball of the foot.

There are three types of gaits that affect the way a person runs. If a person’s gait is abnormal, certain measures should be taken to reduce the risk of knee, hip or ankle injury. The three gait types are:

  • Normal
  • Underpronation
  • Overpronation

All three of these distinctions happen to be what naturally happens to a particular human being due to the person’s foot anatomy and is influenced by shoe construction as well.
A normal gait is when a person’s foot lands in a relatively straight line when running or walking. Underpronation is when a person’s foot rolls out slightly or excessively, and overpronation is when the foot rolls in slightly or excessively. The more pronounced the abnormality, the greater chance for injury.  Most athletic footwear addresses these issues with additional support through the arch or midsole.  Orthotics are also used to correct pronation problems.