If you have a lower extremity injury or have had surgery, you may be having a problem with walking normally.Physical therapists(PT) call walking “gait.” Yourgait cycleincludes stepping, landing on one foot, rolling over that foot, and lifting the foot off the ground again. If you are having problems with gait, you may be referred to physical therapy for gait training.
The ultimate goal of gait training in physical therapy is to help you walk normally and safely.
Common types of gait abnormalities that may require gait training include:
If you have had lower extremity surgery or an injury, you may have weakness or tightness in your legs that prevent you from walking normally. Your balance and proprioception may be affected. Your PT can assess your gait and tailor an exercise program that can improve your gait.
Before starting any exercise program for improved gait, check in with your physician or physical therapist. They can ensure that you are exercising properly and exercise is safe for you to do.
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1Choosing the Right Assitive DeviceJose Luis Pelaez Inc./ Getty ImagesYou may need anassistive deviceto help you walk immediately after your lower extremity injury or surgery. Your PT can help you choose the right one. Examples of assistive devices may include:CrutchesWheeled walkerStandard walkerLofstrand crutchesQuad caneStandard caneYour PT can make sure the device is the proper size for you. They can alsomake sure you are using the assistive device properly.Some people use their assistive device temporarily; others with significant impairments need to use it permanently. Your therapist can help you determine when it is time to ditch your assistive device.If you are working on gait training in the PT clinic, you may useparallel barsto help you. The bars are extremely stable and allow you to use your arms for support while learning to walk again.
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Choosing the Right Assitive DeviceJose Luis Pelaez Inc./ Getty ImagesYou may need anassistive deviceto help you walk immediately after your lower extremity injury or surgery. Your PT can help you choose the right one. Examples of assistive devices may include:CrutchesWheeled walkerStandard walkerLofstrand crutchesQuad caneStandard caneYour PT can make sure the device is the proper size for you. They can alsomake sure you are using the assistive device properly.Some people use their assistive device temporarily; others with significant impairments need to use it permanently. Your therapist can help you determine when it is time to ditch your assistive device.If you are working on gait training in the PT clinic, you may useparallel barsto help you. The bars are extremely stable and allow you to use your arms for support while learning to walk again.
Choosing the Right Assitive Device
Jose Luis Pelaez Inc./ Getty Images
You may need anassistive deviceto help you walk immediately after your lower extremity injury or surgery. Your PT can help you choose the right one. Examples of assistive devices may include:
Your PT can make sure the device is the proper size for you. They can alsomake sure you are using the assistive device properly.
Some people use their assistive device temporarily; others with significant impairments need to use it permanently. Your therapist can help you determine when it is time to ditch your assistive device.
If you are working on gait training in the PT clinic, you may useparallel barsto help you. The bars are extremely stable and allow you to use your arms for support while learning to walk again.
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Range of Motion Exercises
Jan-Otto / Getty Images
After lower extremity injury, you may need to work on regaining and maintaining normal range of motion (ROM) in your joints. Often after surgery, swelling may limit joint ROM.
Exercises to improve lower extremity ROM may include:
Maintaining full ROM as you learn to walk again can help your joints move freely as you step and bear weight onto each leg.
An Overview of Range of Motion
3Lower Extremity StrengtheningBen GoldsteinStrengthening exercise may be incorporated into your gait training exercise program. If you have weakness in your hips, knees, or ankles, this may prevent your from walking safely. Exercises for your lower extremities may include:Straight leg raisesQuad sets andshort arc quadsAnkle strengthening with resistance bandsMini squatsStep upsExercises should be done slowly, and it is recommended that you use light resistance and high repetitions for lower extremity gait training exercises. Why? Because walking is a low resistance, high repetition activity. Your exercises should mimic that type of motion.
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Lower Extremity StrengtheningBen GoldsteinStrengthening exercise may be incorporated into your gait training exercise program. If you have weakness in your hips, knees, or ankles, this may prevent your from walking safely. Exercises for your lower extremities may include:Straight leg raisesQuad sets andshort arc quadsAnkle strengthening with resistance bandsMini squatsStep upsExercises should be done slowly, and it is recommended that you use light resistance and high repetitions for lower extremity gait training exercises. Why? Because walking is a low resistance, high repetition activity. Your exercises should mimic that type of motion.
Lower Extremity Strengthening
Ben Goldstein
Strengthening exercise may be incorporated into your gait training exercise program. If you have weakness in your hips, knees, or ankles, this may prevent your from walking safely. Exercises for your lower extremities may include:
Exercises should be done slowly, and it is recommended that you use light resistance and high repetitions for lower extremity gait training exercises. Why? Because walking is a low resistance, high repetition activity. Your exercises should mimic that type of motion.
4Stepping Over ObstaclesSam Edwards / Caiaimage / Getty ImagesOne way to improve your gait is to accentuate the motions that occur in your legs while walking. One way to do that repetitively is to perform stepping exercises over obstacles or small hurdles. This forces you to flex your hips up high and bend your knees up behind you when walking.Obstacle Gait TrainingHere is how to perform obstacle gait training:Set up five or six small obstacles in a row about 15 inches apart. Obstacles can be rolled up towels, athletic hurdles, or small stacks of books.Stand facing the obstacles, and step over one with one foot.Place your other foot next to your first foot.Repeat walking over the obstacles with one foot. Then, turn around and step over the obstacles leading with your other foot first.When this becomes easy, step over the first obstacle, then step all the way over thenextobstacle in the row. Be sure to lift your knee up high and lift your foot and ankle up towards your buttocks when taking steps.Repeat walking over the obstacles for 10 repetitions.Side-Stepping Gait ExercisesOnce obstacle stepping has become easy when stepping forward over the hurdles, you can try stepping over sideways. This alteration to your normal forward gait can help you move in different directions while walking.Here’s how to perform side-stepping gait exercises:Stand with your obstacles to your sideStep one foot sideways over the first obstacle. Be sure to raise your knee up high.When placing your foot down on the other side of the obstacle, be sure to leave enough room for your second foot to land.Lift your second foot up, high knee.Place your second foot next to your first foot. Repeat over all the obstacles.PrecautionsSince obstacle stepping requires you to take big steps with high knees, it requires you to spend extra time standing on one leg as you step. This can help improve gait, but it may also create instability as you step. So, be sure you are safe while performing this exercise; someone should be with you to help guide you as you walk.If you are unsure of your ability to do this gait training exercise, visit your local PT. They will be able to help.
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Stepping Over ObstaclesSam Edwards / Caiaimage / Getty ImagesOne way to improve your gait is to accentuate the motions that occur in your legs while walking. One way to do that repetitively is to perform stepping exercises over obstacles or small hurdles. This forces you to flex your hips up high and bend your knees up behind you when walking.Obstacle Gait TrainingHere is how to perform obstacle gait training:Set up five or six small obstacles in a row about 15 inches apart. Obstacles can be rolled up towels, athletic hurdles, or small stacks of books.Stand facing the obstacles, and step over one with one foot.Place your other foot next to your first foot.Repeat walking over the obstacles with one foot. Then, turn around and step over the obstacles leading with your other foot first.When this becomes easy, step over the first obstacle, then step all the way over thenextobstacle in the row. Be sure to lift your knee up high and lift your foot and ankle up towards your buttocks when taking steps.Repeat walking over the obstacles for 10 repetitions.Side-Stepping Gait ExercisesOnce obstacle stepping has become easy when stepping forward over the hurdles, you can try stepping over sideways. This alteration to your normal forward gait can help you move in different directions while walking.Here’s how to perform side-stepping gait exercises:Stand with your obstacles to your sideStep one foot sideways over the first obstacle. Be sure to raise your knee up high.When placing your foot down on the other side of the obstacle, be sure to leave enough room for your second foot to land.Lift your second foot up, high knee.Place your second foot next to your first foot. Repeat over all the obstacles.PrecautionsSince obstacle stepping requires you to take big steps with high knees, it requires you to spend extra time standing on one leg as you step. This can help improve gait, but it may also create instability as you step. So, be sure you are safe while performing this exercise; someone should be with you to help guide you as you walk.If you are unsure of your ability to do this gait training exercise, visit your local PT. They will be able to help.
Stepping Over Obstacles
Sam Edwards / Caiaimage / Getty Images
One way to improve your gait is to accentuate the motions that occur in your legs while walking. One way to do that repetitively is to perform stepping exercises over obstacles or small hurdles. This forces you to flex your hips up high and bend your knees up behind you when walking.
Obstacle Gait Training
Here is how to perform obstacle gait training:
Side-Stepping Gait Exercises
Once obstacle stepping has become easy when stepping forward over the hurdles, you can try stepping over sideways. This alteration to your normal forward gait can help you move in different directions while walking.
Here’s how to perform side-stepping gait exercises:
Precautions
Since obstacle stepping requires you to take big steps with high knees, it requires you to spend extra time standing on one leg as you step. This can help improve gait, but it may also create instability as you step. So, be sure you are safe while performing this exercise; someone should be with you to help guide you as you walk.
If you are unsure of your ability to do this gait training exercise, visit your local PT. They will be able to help.
5Target SteppingIn order to improve lower extremity coordination during your gait training exercise routine, you may wish to perform target stepping. To do target stepping:Place four or five targets on the ground in a semicircle. The targets should be about one foot apart. You can use small pieces of paper or paper plates as targets.Stand to one side of the targets on the floor.Slowly step with on foot to tap a target.Return that foot to the starting position, then reach out again to another target and tap it with your foot.Repeat tapping each target with one foot, and then the other. Try to softly and slowly land each tap.This exercise helps to improve your ability to place your foot exactly where you want it while walking and has the added benefit of encouraging single-leg standing.
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Target SteppingIn order to improve lower extremity coordination during your gait training exercise routine, you may wish to perform target stepping. To do target stepping:Place four or five targets on the ground in a semicircle. The targets should be about one foot apart. You can use small pieces of paper or paper plates as targets.Stand to one side of the targets on the floor.Slowly step with on foot to tap a target.Return that foot to the starting position, then reach out again to another target and tap it with your foot.Repeat tapping each target with one foot, and then the other. Try to softly and slowly land each tap.This exercise helps to improve your ability to place your foot exactly where you want it while walking and has the added benefit of encouraging single-leg standing.
Target Stepping
In order to improve lower extremity coordination during your gait training exercise routine, you may wish to perform target stepping. To do target stepping:
This exercise helps to improve your ability to place your foot exactly where you want it while walking and has the added benefit of encouraging single-leg standing.
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Retro Walking
Backward walking seems to reset your neuromuscular system, challenging your lower extremity muscles and joints in specific ways that may improve your gait.
Forward walking is a heel-to-toe motion. Retro walking is a toe-to-heel pattern.
The safest way to implement retro walking into your gait training exercise program is with a treadmill:
7Balance and Proprioception ExercisesPhoto courtesy of SeanCochran.com; used with permissionWalking requires that you spend about 40% of the time standing on one foot. One foot is on the ground while the other swings forward through the air. That means that single leg standing is an important component to safe walking. Balance and proprioception training should be a component of your gait training exercise program.Exercises that can help improve balance and proprioception may include:Single leg stanceSingle leg stance on an unsteady surfaceSingle leg stance with eyes closedTandem standing and walkingSingle leg stance on a BOSU orBAPS boardTo improve your balance, you have to challenge your balance. This means creating situations where you may be a little unsteady. Your body then has to correct for this unsteadiness.As you practice, your balance should improve along with your gait. But, you must remain safe while balance training. Be sure you are able to hold onto something stable while practicing balance exercises.A Word From VerywellIf you have a lower extremity injury that causes difficulty with safe and normal walking, you may benefit from gait training in physical therapy. Your therapist can help choose the right exercises and activities to improve your lower extremity motion and strength, improve balance, and help you return to normal safe walking. Gait training in physical therapy can help you get back to your normal recreational and work-related activities quickly and safely.
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Balance and Proprioception ExercisesPhoto courtesy of SeanCochran.com; used with permissionWalking requires that you spend about 40% of the time standing on one foot. One foot is on the ground while the other swings forward through the air. That means that single leg standing is an important component to safe walking. Balance and proprioception training should be a component of your gait training exercise program.Exercises that can help improve balance and proprioception may include:Single leg stanceSingle leg stance on an unsteady surfaceSingle leg stance with eyes closedTandem standing and walkingSingle leg stance on a BOSU orBAPS boardTo improve your balance, you have to challenge your balance. This means creating situations where you may be a little unsteady. Your body then has to correct for this unsteadiness.As you practice, your balance should improve along with your gait. But, you must remain safe while balance training. Be sure you are able to hold onto something stable while practicing balance exercises.A Word From VerywellIf you have a lower extremity injury that causes difficulty with safe and normal walking, you may benefit from gait training in physical therapy. Your therapist can help choose the right exercises and activities to improve your lower extremity motion and strength, improve balance, and help you return to normal safe walking. Gait training in physical therapy can help you get back to your normal recreational and work-related activities quickly and safely.
Balance and Proprioception Exercises
Photo courtesy of SeanCochran.com; used with permission
Walking requires that you spend about 40% of the time standing on one foot. One foot is on the ground while the other swings forward through the air. That means that single leg standing is an important component to safe walking. Balance and proprioception training should be a component of your gait training exercise program.
Exercises that can help improve balance and proprioception may include:
To improve your balance, you have to challenge your balance. This means creating situations where you may be a little unsteady. Your body then has to correct for this unsteadiness.
As you practice, your balance should improve along with your gait. But, you must remain safe while balance training. Be sure you are able to hold onto something stable while practicing balance exercises.
A Word From Verywell
If you have a lower extremity injury that causes difficulty with safe and normal walking, you may benefit from gait training in physical therapy. Your therapist can help choose the right exercises and activities to improve your lower extremity motion and strength, improve balance, and help you return to normal safe walking. Gait training in physical therapy can help you get back to your normal recreational and work-related activities quickly and safely.
Frequently Asked QuestionsThe gait cycle includes all of the movements involved in taking steps. Lifting the foot, moving it forward, putting it back down, rolling through the foot, and lifting it off the ground again.Gait abnormalities are commonly treated in physical therapy. Abnormal gaits include high steppage gait, spastic gait, Trendelenburg gait, and antalgic gait, which is walking problems related to pain.Range of motion exercises, balance and proprioception exercises, lower extremity strengthening, side-stepping gait exercises, walking backward, and obstacle training are used to help correct gait abnormalities.
Frequently Asked Questions
The gait cycle includes all of the movements involved in taking steps. Lifting the foot, moving it forward, putting it back down, rolling through the foot, and lifting it off the ground again.
Gait abnormalities are commonly treated in physical therapy. Abnormal gaits include high steppage gait, spastic gait, Trendelenburg gait, and antalgic gait, which is walking problems related to pain.
Range of motion exercises, balance and proprioception exercises, lower extremity strengthening, side-stepping gait exercises, walking backward, and obstacle training are used to help correct gait abnormalities.
2 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Balasukumaran T, Olivier B, Ntsiea MV.The effectiveness of backward walking as a treatment for people with gait impairments: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Clin Rehabil. 2019;33(2):171-182. doi:10.1177/0269215518801430Elnahhas AM, Elshennawy S, Aly MG.Effects of backward gait training on balance, gross motor function, and gait in children with cerebral palsy: A systematic review.Clin Rehabil. 2019;33(1):3-12. doi:10.1177/0269215518790053
2 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Balasukumaran T, Olivier B, Ntsiea MV.The effectiveness of backward walking as a treatment for people with gait impairments: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Clin Rehabil. 2019;33(2):171-182. doi:10.1177/0269215518801430Elnahhas AM, Elshennawy S, Aly MG.Effects of backward gait training on balance, gross motor function, and gait in children with cerebral palsy: A systematic review.Clin Rehabil. 2019;33(1):3-12. doi:10.1177/0269215518790053
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Balasukumaran T, Olivier B, Ntsiea MV.The effectiveness of backward walking as a treatment for people with gait impairments: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Clin Rehabil. 2019;33(2):171-182. doi:10.1177/0269215518801430Elnahhas AM, Elshennawy S, Aly MG.Effects of backward gait training on balance, gross motor function, and gait in children with cerebral palsy: A systematic review.Clin Rehabil. 2019;33(1):3-12. doi:10.1177/0269215518790053
Balasukumaran T, Olivier B, Ntsiea MV.The effectiveness of backward walking as a treatment for people with gait impairments: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Clin Rehabil. 2019;33(2):171-182. doi:10.1177/0269215518801430
Elnahhas AM, Elshennawy S, Aly MG.Effects of backward gait training on balance, gross motor function, and gait in children with cerebral palsy: A systematic review.Clin Rehabil. 2019;33(1):3-12. doi:10.1177/0269215518790053
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