Human Gait Cycle

Introduction

There are some astounding evidences that are significantly relevant and pivotal, serving as a source of stimulus for why the problem of occupational SWF needs to be addressed. Slip and fall accidents have been recognized as a major threat to the safety of individuals not only in industry but also in daily living. In most industry groups, slips and falls either represents the highest or second highest type of workers compensation claim(Leamon and Murphy 1995). The National Safety Council (2002) reported that the slips and falls are the leading cause of death in the workplace and source of more than 20% of all disabling injuries, which is fairly appalling. Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index indicates that workplace injuries cost

To dive deep into the matter, it is crucial to have a comprehensive study of the human gait cycle in order to determine how slip is initiated or what condition while walking leads a person to slip? For that purpose it is necessary to have a preliminary knowledge regarding human gait cycle. Human gait cycle is divided into two main phases i.e. stance and swing phase (of both legs) and the cycle commences with the heel strike (heel when first touches the surface). The stance phase is the period when the foot maintains contact with the ground, while swing phase is the period when the foot is off the ground. Each of these two phases is further divided into sub

2) Mid Stance – Foot begins to lift from rear, preparing it for the next phase. 3) Propulsion – It starts as the heel lifts and continues through toe-off.

The principal task involved in swing phase is to help recover foot from toe-off and to prepare for the coming heel strike by changing its position. Swing consists of the following two sub phases: 1) Early Swing: It starts at toe-off, with both feet simultaneously in contact with the ground. 2) Late Swing: In this sub phase, the foot recovers from toe-off and locks into a stiff position in preparation for contact with the walking