Gait

What is the definition of "gait" in the context of human movement?

• The way a person walks or moves on foot

• The speed at which a person runs

• The ability to jump high

• The strength of leg muscles

What is the term for the part of the gait cycle when the foot is in contact with the ground?

• Swing phase

• Stance phase

• Jump phase

• Push phase

Which muscle group is primarily responsible for lifting the foot during the swing phase of gait?

• Quadriceps

• Hamstrings

• Dorsiflexors

• Triceps

Which of the following best describes an "antalgic gait"?

• A limp due to pain

• A fast, skipping walk

• Walking backwards

• Walking on tiptoes

What is the main function of the gluteus maximus muscle during gait?

• Flexing the knee

• Extending the hip

• Rotating the ankle

• Bending the spine

Which phase of the gait cycle occurs immediately after heel strike?

• Toe-off

• Mid-stance

• Swing phase

• Initial contact

A student observes a person dragging one leg while walking. What type of gait abnormality might this indicate, and what could be a possible cause?

• Ataxic gait; caused by inner ear infection

• Hemiplegic gait; caused by stroke

• Festinating gait; caused by Parkinson's disease

• Steppage gait; caused by foot drop

If a person has weakness in the right gluteus medius muscle, what gait abnormality might you expect to see, and why?

• Trendelenburg gait; pelvis drops on the left side during right stance phase

• Antalgic gait; person walks faster to avoid pain

• Ataxic gait; unsteady, wide-based walk

• Steppage gait; high stepping to clear the foot

A patient with foot drop (unable to dorsiflex the ankle) is observed during walking. Which compensatory mechanism might they use, and what is the reason for it?

• Swinging the leg outward; to avoid tripping

• High stepping gait; to clear the toes from the ground

• Walking on tiptoes; to increase speed

• Shortening stride; to reduce fatigue

A person with Parkinson's disease often exhibits a "festinating gait." What are the characteristics of this gait, and what might be the underlying reason?

• Wide-based, unsteady walk; due to cerebellar dysfunction

• Short, shuffling steps with increasing speed; due to difficulty initiating movement

• Limping with pain; due to joint injury

• High stepping; due to foot drop