CFO Biomechanics & Gait Analysis 3

Question 1

What is the difference between step length and stride length in gait analysis?

Accepted Answer

Step length is heel to heel of opposite feet; stride length is heel to heel of the same foot

Answer

Step length is the distance from heel strike of one foot to heel strike of the opposite foot, while stride length is the full gait cycle distance from heel strike of one foot to the next heel strike of the same foot.

Question 2

Which of the following best describes the concept of the center of mass (COM) during normal gait?

Accepted Answer

It moves in a sinusoidal vertical and lateral pattern

Answer

The center of mass follows a sinusoidal path, moving up and down vertically as well as side to side laterally throughout the gait cycle, with each oscillation approximately 5 cm.

Question 3

A patient with tibialis anterior weakness requires which AFO design to address the gait deficit?

Accepted Answer

Posterior leaf spring AFO

Answer

A posterior leaf spring (PLS) AFO provides dynamic dorsiflexion assistance during swing phase to correct foot drop caused by tibialis anterior weakness while allowing some ankle motion.

Question 4

What is cadence in gait analysis?

Accepted Answer

The number of steps taken per unit time, typically steps per minute

Answer

Cadence is defined as the number of steps taken per unit time, most commonly expressed as steps per minute, with a normal adult value of approximately 110–120 steps per minute.

Question 5

Excessive subtalar pronation during gait most commonly leads to which secondary biomechanical consequence at the knee?

Accepted Answer

Internal tibial rotation and increased medial compartment stress

Answer

Excessive subtalar pronation causes obligatory internal tibial rotation through the subtalar/tibial coupling mechanism, increasing medial knee compartment loading and medial patellar stress.

(CFO) Certified Fitter Orthotics Practice Test

(CFO) Certified Fitter Orthotics Practice Test

CFO Biomechanics & Gait Analysis 3