here's a thought: You may think that the one you're putting on the next step is what you need to focus on lifting higher - true - but which one is lifting your whole body? The one that remains upon the step. Further up the post I've referenced a muscle called soleus - in this context (making sure you have support as necessary - hands etc. to try it safely) - here's what I do - slightly flex the standing leg and lift up the standing heel - so going onto the ball of the foot and the toes. Although counter-intuitive (going onto a smaller base of support can't be safe can it?) This gets the extra height and is more "natural" in reflex activity for initiating the lift of the other leg in a "reciprocal gait". Lots of careful repetitions later and the ankle/foot complex is stronger and most importantly more dynamically stable and the pahses of movement flow together better :-)
I only wear glasses for reading but this seems more that my automatic motor functions that know how high every step should be suffers a breakdown it I look at the step and my subconcious mind says "nah mate, that is a 13" tread, not a 12", you don't need to lift as high" and the automatic motor system believes it resulting in foot hitting stair front.
I can even feel the moment when the auto systems get interrupted and then try to overcompensate when it realises an accident is going to happen and suddenly I'm taking 2 steps at a time - so random!
My subconcious is good at sabotaging me so I have developed a response to use my rational brain to process things rather that relying on instinct where possible.
do you wear glasses? distance perception +/- as over/under lens can alter - can get me messed up Also balance subservient to multiple systems - eyes, proprioceptive (joint position et al) and ears (vestibular) altered dominance of which one is being relied upon (if there is s systematic mismatch) can confuse things. Exercises can help. Or maybe it's just because you're getting older ;-)
I get really weird if I'm focussed on myself waking, to the point I can stumble like I forgot how!
How about going up the stairs and if you look at where you are standing your automatic motor mechanism falls off its perch and you trip over the stair.
I find this gets worse with age and is a real annoyance as sometimes I'm tryting to take care carrying something delicate up the stairs and if I look I stumble - grrr. Why brain, why?
There was a cruel joke that in medical notes years ago: "NFN" was written meaning "normal for Norfolk "NFNN" meaning normal for north Norfolk I am proud to say that Norfolk is my county of birth! Normal in the mathematical sense is just the most of somethings when they are all lined up. Natural variation occurs - tuning in to what is normal for one and whether it can be tinkered with to greater satisfaction or not can create a "new normal" maybe :-) Pain is a message about the problem not necessarily the problem itself. How one interprets it and responds to it is often more flexible than our prior experience may suggest. Us autistic people are good at thinking outside the box - maybe apply it to how you think about moving too?
Ever come across the term "tall poppy syndrome" Iain ? Typically autistic perhaps however I tend to take the analysis literally. No coincidence that the physiological capability of carrying one's head high has a relationship to confidence. The poem says: "if you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you etc" Clever person that Kipling - :-)
I know that one shouldn't have favourites - nevertheless this is one of mine Soleus muscle - Wikipedia Once described to me as " a hidden powerhouse" "Its name is derived from the Latin word "solea", meaning "sandal" " Just to say that I personally think Tai Chi is fab :-) Takes a while to get the hang of - but then so do a lot of things worth the effort :-)
Yes I think that you are correct in your analysis. Pelvis means "bowl" in Latin (interesting Greek and prior origins too!) funny thing to consider - but you are in it :-) The leggy bits underneath it provide the "buoyancy" to support it. If the waves and such are wafting that bowl in the mutually desired direction then plain sailing. I have never been a sailor however I would observe that it is probably easier to sail in a group, equally easier if the captain is in a good frame of mind. Not so easy if the captain says one way but the boat and crew say another maybe... perhaps that's the odd psychological issue you describe?
I always get extra insoles for shoes, arch supports, gel padding etc. I get sciatica and hip pain so maybe I'm not a good person to opine on "correct" walking postures though! The insoles help though.
I tend to putting too much weight on the front of my feet. So, uneven weight distribution and digging my toes down to keep my balance. Have to consciously remember to walk "flat" not leaning forward. I also have to use arch supports or my feet roll inwards apparently called "excess pronation".
