Tandem gait
Tandem Gait
Tandem gait (pronunciation: /ˈtandəm ɡāt/) is a method of locomotion (walking or running) where the toes of the back foot touch the heel of the front foot at each step. This term is often used in the field of neurology and physical therapy to assess balance and coordination of patients.
Etymology
The term 'tandem' originates from Latin, meaning 'at length', while 'gait' is derived from Old Norse 'gata', meaning 'path' or 'way'. Together, they describe a way of walking where the feet are placed directly in front of each other.
Related Terms
- Gait: The pattern of movement of the limbs of animals, including humans, during locomotion over a solid substrate.
- Ataxia: A neurological sign consisting of lack of voluntary coordination of muscle movements.
- Proprioception: The sense of the relative position of one's own parts of the body and strength of effort being employed in movement.
- Vestibular System: The sensory system that provides the leading contribution to the sense of balance and spatial orientation for the purpose of coordinating movement with balance.
Clinical Significance
Tandem gait is often used as a part of neurological examinations to assess balance and coordination. Difficulty in performing tandem gait can be a sign of a number of conditions, including cerebellar ataxia, multiple sclerosis, and vestibular neuritis. It can also be affected by age and alcohol intoxication.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Tandem gait
- Wikipedia's article - Tandem gait
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