Gait Exercises
Shane Haas of ADL Balance recently posted a blog article and YouTube video on “Turn 15 Gait Challenges Into 2,400 Possible Gait Exercises” to create variable walking scenarios that patients can experience prior to a safe return to their normal lives. These different gait exercises are meant to mimic possible experiences the patient may encounter beyond walking on clean, level ground.
We have taken some of these recommended gait exercises and have added them into PT-Connect/PT-Helper’s exercise library that you can prescribe to patients for in-clinic or at-home use. A sample of these exercises are shown below:
- Cross Over Steps : Stand with good posture. Cross over one leg in front of the other. Then bring the rear leg out to the side so that your feet are no longer crossed. Moving in the same direction, cross over the same leg behind the other. Then bring the front leg out to the side so that your feet are no longer crossed. Repeat for the duration of the Hold time.
- High Step (March) : Stand with good posture. Take a high step or march by bringing your knee up as high as comfortable. Step forward as you bring your raised leg down. On your next step, bring your other knee up as high as comfortable. Step forward. Repeat for the duration of the Hold time.
- Walk (Weave) Around Obstacles : Stand with good posture in front of a series of obstacles with space to walk in between. Weave around the obstacles for the duration of the Hold time.
- Walk On Obstacles : Stand with good posture in front of a series of obstacles that you can safely walk on. Step on the obstacles as you walk from one side to the other for the duration of the Hold time.
- Walk Over Obstacles : Stand with good posture in front of a series of obstacles that you can walk over with space to walk in between. Step over the obstacles for the duration of the Hold time.
These exercises (and more) can be found in the Geriatric category on PT-Connect and PT-Helper.
Reminder: Please consult your physician or physical therapist before engaging in any physical activity and stop if you experience pain or discomfort.