Small spinal movements during gait occur in what range?

Small spinal movements during gait occur in what range?

• A. 0° only
• B. 15-20°
• C. 3-5°
• D. 25-30°

Answer: (C)

During normal walking, the spine stays relatively stiff while most motion occurs in the hips, knees, and ankles. The trunk can counter-rotate slightly to help balance and absorb energy, but the overall angular movement of the spine is small. In a typical gait cycle, the total spinal motion in the sagittal (forward-backward) plane is only about 3-5 degrees. That’s why this range is the best fit. The other ranges are too large for normal gait, and saying there’s no motion at all would be inaccurate since the spine does move a little to accommodate balance and propulsion.

During normal walking, the spine stays relatively stiff while most motion occurs in the hips, knees, and ankles. The trunk can counter-rotate slightly to help balance and absorb energy, but the overall angular movement of the spine is small. In a typical gait cycle, the total spinal motion in the sagittal (forward-backward) plane is only about 3-5 degrees. That’s why this range is the best fit.

The other ranges are too large for normal gait, and saying there’s no motion at all would be inaccurate since the spine does move a little to accommodate balance and propulsion.