A step length deficit caused by tight hip extensors occurs on which side?

When evaluating a step length deficit that arises due to tight hip extensors, it's essential to understand the mechanics of gait and how muscular imbalances affect movement. Tightness in the hip extensors, which include muscles such as the gluteus maximus and hamstrings, can restrict the range of motion necessary for effective leg movement during walking.

If a person has tight hip extensors on one side, that side will struggle to achieve the necessary hip flexion during the swing phase of gait. As a result, when the leg on the affected side is in the swing phase, its ability to fully extend and propel forward is compromised, leading to a shorter step length on that same side. This biomechanical limitation hinders the person from achieving a normal gait pattern, causing a clear deficit in step length.

Understanding this dynamic emphasizes that the side with the tight hip extensors will be the one affected in terms of step length, thereby confirming that the deficit occurs on the same side.