# PWR-029 — Gait efficiency: learner worksheet Release: Revision 7T · Full Tutorial Edition Estimated time: Estimated 25 min reading and worksheet pass Difficulty: Intermediate Equipment: Common household or practice equipment — A familiar dry level indoor route of 6–10 metres with a stable turn or straight finish; Usual footwear, mobility aid and glasses/hearing support; Two route markers, timer and optional hand counter; Simple sheet for time, steps, effort, comfort, stability and the exact tested change Space: Open movement area Automated structural checklist: 10 of 10 structural checks present Evidence quality/context: G2; Focused research depth Automated method-quality band: Comprehensive Method-rating basis: Structure coverage, instruction/check specificity, alternative distinctness, source troubleshooting, comparison depth and whether purpose/check fields are authored rather than derived. Editorial review: Pending manual editorial sign off ## Before you begin - [ ] I read the tutorial authority and stop conditions. - [ ] I have the required equipment/space or a declared accessible alternative. ## Canonical source context Gait efficiency can refer to energy cost, step pattern, variability, smoothness or usefulness; these are not one score. This lesson teaches a low-risk home observation on a route the learner already walks safely. Record the natural walk first, change only one benign external feature such as where an object is carried or whether the route is cleared, repeat at the same comfortable pace, and keep the change only if the whole task is easier, stable and comfortable. It does not teach a forced foot strike, cadence, symmetry or clinical gait correction. Target outcome: The learner completes three natural walks on the same familiar route and one matched test of a single benign external change, with time, steps, effort, comfort, stability and aid use recorded. ### Authority and setup conditions - Choose a route already walked safely and clear pets, cables, rugs and movable obstacles. - Keep usual aid, footwear and carrying support; ask a helper to observe if that is normally needed. - Do not start with new pain, dizziness, unusual breathlessness, illness, recent fall or a noticeable gait change. - Plan three natural walks with rest; stop before fatigue alters the pattern. ### Required or supplied materials - A familiar dry level indoor route of 6–10 metres with a stable turn or straight finish - Usual footwear, mobility aid and glasses/hearing support - Two route markers, timer and optional hand counter - Simple sheet for time, steps, effort, comfort, stability and the exact tested change ## 1. Declare the ordinary route Mark the same start and finish and describe surface, turn, footwear, aid and carried item. Why: Efficiency comparisons require the same task. Success check: Another person could reset the route from the note. Accessible alternative: Complete “Mark the same start and finish and describe surface, turn, footwear, aid and carried item.” in shorter passes, or use keyboard input, dictation or a support person, while preserving this success check: “Another person could reset the route from the note.” Use a helper for timing/recording so the learner can look at the route, without adding gait coaching. Alternative relationship: Target preserving when declared check is preserved Learner notes: ________________________________________________________________________________ Completed: [ ] ## 2. Walk naturally once At a comfortable everyday pace, walk the route without trying to look efficient. Use the usual aid and look where you normally look. Why: The first aim is a truthful baseline, not a performance pose. Success check: The walk finishes safely without a cue-induced gait change. Accessible alternative: A supported, seated, reduced-range or slower version of “At a comfortable everyday pace, walk the route without trying to look efficient. Use the usual aid and look where you normally look.” is equivalent only when it keeps the same trained or measured target, declared configuration and success check: “The walk finishes safely without a cue-induced gait change.” If any of those change, record it as a related alternative rather than an equivalent repetition. Alternative relationship: Conditional equivalence requires target and configuration check Learner notes: ________________________________________________________________________________ Completed: [ ] ## 3. Record the whole task Write time, approximate steps, effort 0–10, comfort 0–10, any stumble/hesitation and aid used. Why: A lower time or step count can hide more effort or less stability. Success check: All fields are completed before the next walk. Accessible alternative: Complete the same research action — “Write time, approximate steps, effort 0–10, comfort 0–10, any stumble/hesitation and aid used.” — using speech-to-text, text-to-speech, enlarged text, keyboard-only navigation, shorter work blocks or a support person. Preserve this declared check: “All fields are completed before the next walk.” Do not convert the research task into capability practice. Alternative relationship: Target preserving when declared check is preserved Learner notes: ________________________________________________________________________________ Completed: [ ] ## 4. Repeat the natural pattern After rest, repeat twice under the same conditions and note ordinary variation. Why: One trial may reflect timing or attention noise. Success check: Three natural trials use the same route and supports. Accessible alternative: Complete “After rest, repeat twice under the same conditions and note ordinary variation.” in shorter passes, or use keyboard input, dictation or a support person, while preserving this success check: “Three natural trials use the same route and supports.” Use a helper for timing/recording so the learner can look at the route, without adding gait coaching. Alternative relationship: Target preserving when declared check is preserved Learner notes: ________________________________________________________________________________ Completed: [ ] ## 5. Choose one benign external change Select only one reversible feature: clear the route, move a carried object closer, improve lighting or use an already authorised support. Do not instruct the feet or cadence. Why: External organisation can reduce task burden without imposing gait dogma. Success check: The change is named in one sentence and affects only one feature. Accessible alternative: Complete the same research action — “Select only one reversible feature: clear the route, move a carried object closer, improve lighting or use an already authorised support. Do not instruct the feet or cadence.” — using speech-to-text, text-to-speech, enlarged text, keyboard-only navigation, shorter work blocks or a support person. Preserve this declared check: “The change is named in one sentence and affects only one feature.” Do not convert the research task into capability practice. Alternative relationship: Target preserving when declared check is preserved Learner notes: ________________________________________________________________________________ Completed: [ ] ## 6. Test and compare Repeat once at natural comfortable pace, then compare time, steps, effort, comfort and stability with the baseline range. Why: A useful change should improve the whole task, not one number at a cost. Success check: The comparison shows every outcome, including any worsening. Accessible alternative: Complete the same research action — “Repeat once at natural comfortable pace, then compare time, steps, effort, comfort and stability with the baseline range.” — using speech-to-text, text-to-speech, enlarged text, keyboard-only navigation, shorter work blocks or a support person. Preserve this declared check: “The comparison shows every outcome, including any worsening.” Do not convert the research task into capability practice. Alternative relationship: Target preserving when declared check is preserved Learner notes: ________________________________________________________________________________ Completed: [ ] ## 7. Keep, revert or refer Keep the change only if it is easier or more useful with equal or better comfort and stability. Revert if mixed; seek assessment for persistent difficulty. Why: A reversible decision respects individual self-organisation and safety. Success check: The final decision and reason are written. Accessible alternative: Replace small or visual-only information with enlarged text, high-contrast display, spoken description or tactile/verbal cueing while preserving the same decision and success check. Use a helper for timing/recording so the learner can look at the route, without adding gait coaching. Alternative relationship: Target preserving when declared check is preserved Learner notes: ________________________________________________________________________________ Completed: [ ] ## Reflection What changed? ________________________________________________________________________________ What remains difficult? ________________________________________________________________________________ What will I repeat, adapt, ask for help with, or stop? ________________________________________________________________________________ --- Completion of this worksheet demonstrates tutorial participation only. It does not establish capability, qualification, safety clearance, diagnosis, treatment or independent validation.