Crosswalk #2: Dynamic Gait Index and Haas Balance Book

The Dynamic Gait Index (DGI) is a standardized assessment tool for rating dynamic balance, gait, and fall risk. Based on results of the DGI, exercises can be selected that target elements with low scores. Exercises that more closely simulate low-scoring items will have higher potential training benefits/outcomes. For example, if patient scored low on DGI Item 6 (gait over obstacles), exercises are chosen that require stepping (see list of 10 exercises below). The crosswalk below includes elements of the DGI and corresponding exercises from the Haas Balance Book: 100+ Exercises for PTs and OTs.

1. Gait level surfaces
   1. Exercise 40: Standard Gait
   2. Exercise 81: Randomized Gait – Forward/Backward
2. Change in gait speed
   1. Exercise 80: Throw-Catch + Gait
   2. Exercise 81: Randomized Gait – Forward/Backward
   3. Exercise 83: Gait + Start-Stops
3. Gait with horizontal head turns
   1. Exercise 48: Gait + Head Movements (Turns or Tilts)
4. Gait with vertical head turns
   1. Exercise 48: Gait + Head Movements (Turns or Tilts)
5. Gait with pivot turn
   1. Exercise 60: Pivoting Drills
   2. Exercise 78: Randomized Turning
6. Step over obstacle
   1. Exercise 44: Gait – High Steps
   2. Exercise 51: Gait Over Obstacles
   3. Exercise 55: Stepping Drills
   4. Exercise 58: Quadrant Stepping
   5. Exercise 59: Diagonal Stepping
   6. Exercise 61: Combo: Progressively Higher Hurdles
   7. Exercise 73: Randomized Stepping
   8. Exercise 75: Randomized Stepping + Clock Yourself
   9. Exercise 76: Randomized Stepping + Quadrant Hurdle
   10. Exercise 86: Randomized Stepping + Obstacles
7. Step around obstacle
   1. Exercise 41: Gait – Side Steps
   2. Exercise 43: Gait – Cross-Over Steps
   3. Exercise 53: Gait Around Obstacles
8. Steps
   1. Exercise 52: Gait On Obstacles
   2. Exercise 57: Stepping On/Off Obstacles
   3. Exercise 74: Randomized Stepping On/Off Obstacles
   4. Exercise 82: Randomized Gait + Uneven Surfaces