Vocabulary

Question 1

Gait Cycle

Answer 1

All components of limb advancement, beginning with a specific event on one foot (such as when the right heel strikes the ground) and ending that same event is repeated on the same limb.

Question 2

Stance Phase

Answer 2

Begins when one foot makes contact with floor and ends when that same foot lifts off the floor. The stance phase comprises 62% of the gait cycle during typical gait.

Question 3

Swing Phase

Answer 3

Begins when one foot lifts off of the floor and ends when that same foot makes contact with the floor. The swing phase comprises 38% of the gait cycle during typical gait.

Question 4

Step Length

Answer 4

The linear distance measured along the line of progression representing how far one foot has traveled relative to the other foot through one gait cycle (e.g. the distance from right heel contact to left heel contact). In typical gait, the right and left step lengths are equal.

Question 5

Stride Length

Answer 5

The linear distance measured along the line of progression representing how far the body has traveled during one gait cycle (e.g. the distance from right heel contact to the next right heel contact). Average stride length in non-disabled adults averages 1.32 - 1.51 meters.

Question 6

Cadence

Answer 6

The term used to describe the number of steps taken in a specific amount of time. This is usually measured as the numbers of steps per minute (steps/min). Cadence can vary based on many factors, including leg length, shoe wear, walking surface, and task. Typical cadence for non-disabled adults averages 108-118 steps/min.

Question 7

Velocity

Answer 7

The term used to describe the speed of ambulation and is measured in meters per second (m/sec). Average preferred walking velocity for adults age 20-59 years is 1.2-1.4 m/sec (72-84 m/min).

Question 8

Width of base of support or walking base

Answer 8

Describes a linear distance measured perpendicular to the line of progression from the center of the right point of contact (typically the heel) to the center of the left point of contact. Average walking base for adults is approximately 7-8 cm, although published measures vary greatly depending on the point of contact measured, such as center of heel, center of foot, or center of mass.