a device including an elastic member and means for connecting the ends of it to a person so that the elastic strip is operable , when the person &# 39 ; s leg is straight or nearly straight , to exert a force that tends to bend the leg at the knee and hip is disclosed . the device assists someone using the device to achieve a safe and adequate lift of his or her legs during the swing phase of the gait cycle . prolonged use of the device has been observed to cause a person , when later walking without the device , to exhibit better leg lift during the swing phase of the gait cycle than that person did before using the device . the elastic strip can be connected at one end to a shoe insert and , at the other end , to a belt .