Dictionary of Biological Psychology
The regular pattern of walking.
Gait has been rigorously investigated by theorists interested in the control of movement, given the precise, reliable nature of the patterns of muscular contraction. Early models suggested that stages of the gait pattern were driven in a feedback manner by the earlier components, such that once the gait sequence was initiated each sub-movement occurred at the correct time because the pattern is effectively a chain of reflexes. These models have been replaced by MOTOR PROGRAMMING theories, which suggest that some central mechanism contains information about the sequencing and timing of the sub-movements required.
See also: locomotion
DAVID P.CAREY
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