CTO CTO Biomechanics & Gait Analysis 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which phase of the gait cycle involves the foot being flat on the ground with the body weight directly over the limb?
- Terminal stance
- Midstance (Correct answer)
- Loading response
- Pre-swing
Correct answer: Midstance
Midstance is the phase where the foot is flat and body weight is directly over the supporting limb.
Question 2: What is the primary function of the subtalar joint during gait?
- Plantarflexion and dorsiflexion
- Inversion and eversion to absorb shock and adapt to terrain (Correct answer)
- Rotation of the tibia
- Extension of the toes
Correct answer: Inversion and eversion to absorb shock and adapt to terrain
The subtalar joint performs inversion and eversion to absorb shock and allow the foot to adapt to uneven terrain during gait.
Question 3: In normal gait, what is the approximate stance-to-swing phase ratio?
- 50% stance / 50% swing
- 40% stance / 60% swing
- 60% stance / 40% swing (Correct answer)
- 70% stance / 30% swing
Correct answer: 60% stance / 40% swing
Normal gait consists of approximately 60% stance phase and 40% swing phase per gait cycle.
Question 4: Which muscle group is primarily responsible for controlling the rate of foot drop during the loading response phase?
- Gastrocnemius
- Tibialis anterior (Correct answer)
- Quadriceps
- Hip abductors
Correct answer: Tibialis anterior
The tibialis anterior eccentrically contracts during loading response to control the rate at which the foot lowers to the ground.
Question 5: What term describes the forward progression of the body's center of mass over the supporting foot?
- Lateral trunk shift
- Rockers of the ankle (Correct answer)
- Forward lean
- Pelvic obliquity
Correct answer: Rockers of the ankle
The ankle, heel, and forefoot rockers describe the mechanisms that allow the body's center of mass to progress forward over the foot.
Question 6: Which gait deviation is most commonly associated with weak hip abductors?
- Trendelenburg gait (Correct answer)
- Antalgic gait
- Scissor gait
- Steppage gait
Correct answer: Trendelenburg gait
Trendelenburg gait, characterized by a drop of the pelvis toward the unsupported side, is caused by weak hip abductors.
CTO CTO Biomechanics & Gait Analysis 1
Which phase of the gait cycle involves the foot being flat on the ground with the body weight directly over the limb?