CCAT Gait Analysis and Locomotion 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During a trot, which limb pairs move together as diagonal pairs?
- Right front and right hind
- Right front and left hind (Correct answer)
- Left front and left hind
- All four limbs move simultaneously
Correct answer: Right front and left hind
The trot is a two-beat diagonal gait where the right front and left hind move together, and the left front and right hind move together.
Question 2: What is the term for the brief period during locomotion when all four limbs are off the ground simultaneously?
- Stance phase
- Suspension phase (Correct answer)
- Swing phase
- Double support phase
Correct answer: Suspension phase
The suspension phase occurs during high-speed gaits like the gallop when all four limbs are momentarily airborne.
Question 3: A dog with hip dysplasia most commonly exhibits which compensatory gait change during walking?
- Increased hip flexion
- Bunny-hopping with simultaneous hind limb advancement (Correct answer)
- Exaggerated pelvic lateral sway
- Shortened forelimb stride length
Correct answer: Bunny-hopping with simultaneous hind limb advancement
Dogs with hip dysplasia often bunny-hop, using both hind limbs simultaneously to reduce individual hip joint loading.
Question 4: Which kinematic variable describes the angle formed at a joint through its range of motion during gait?
- Cadence
- Joint excursion (Correct answer)
- Step length
- Velocity
Correct answer: Joint excursion
Joint excursion refers to the total angular displacement of a joint from maximum flexion to maximum extension during the gait cycle.
Question 5: In cats, which gait is most commonly used at moderate speeds?
- Pace (Correct answer)
- Trot
- Walk
- Gallop
Correct answer: Pace
Cats naturally use the pace (lateral gait) at moderate speeds, which is unusual compared to most quadrupeds that trot.
Question 6: What does a reduced peak vertical force in a force plate analysis indicate about a limb?
- The limb is bearing more weight than normal
- The animal is moving faster than baseline
- The limb is being offloaded, suggesting pain or dysfunction (Correct answer)
- The limb has increased muscle mass
Correct answer: The limb is being offloaded, suggesting pain or dysfunction
Reduced peak vertical force indicates weight-shifting away from that limb, which is a hallmark sign of pain, weakness, or structural dysfunction.
Question 7: Which gait pattern is characterized by footfall sequence: left hind, left front, right hind, right front?
- Diagonal walk
- Lateral walk (pace walk) (Correct answer)
- Trot
- Gallop
Correct answer: Lateral walk (pace walk)
A lateral walk features ipsilateral (same-side) limb pairs moving close together, creating the left hind–left front–right hind–right front sequence.
CCAT Gait Analysis and Locomotion 4
During a trot, which limb pairs move together as diagonal pairs?