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LECOM-SH OPP 1001 Exam 4: Gait Analysis and Comprehensive Clinical
Integration — Practice Questions with Detailed Rationales
SECTION 1: GAIT CYCLE FUNDAMENTALS & PHASES
Q1. What is the definition of a gait cycle?
A. A gait cycle is the sequence of movements from initial
contact (heel strike) of one foot to the next initial contact of the
same foot. It comprises one full stride, which includes two
steps.
Rationale: The gait cycle is the fundamental unit of walking
analysis. One cycle = one stride = two steps (right step + left
step). Understanding this basic definition is essential for all gait
analysis.
Q2. What are the two primary phases of the gait cycle?
A. The stance phase and the swing phase.
Rationale: The stance phase is when the foot is in contact with
the ground (approximately 60% of the gait cycle). The swing
phase is when the foot is off the ground (approximately 40% of
the gait cycle).
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Q3. What percentage of the gait cycle is spent in the stance
phase?
A. Approximately 60%.
Rationale: The stance phase comprises about 60% of the gait
cycle in normal walking. This longer duration provides stability
during weight-bearing.
Q4. What percentage of the gait cycle is spent in the swing
phase?
A. Approximately 40%.
Rationale: The swing phase comprises about 40% of the gait
cycle. During this phase, the foot is off the ground and
advancing forward.
Q5. What are the eight subphases of the gait cycle according to
the Rancho Los Amigos classification?
A. Initial contact, loading response, mid-stance, terminal stance,
pre-swing, initial swing, mid-swing, and terminal swing.
Rationale: The Rancho Los Amigos terminology is the standard
classification system for gait analysis. It divides the gait cycle
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into eight functional phases that describe specific
biomechanical events.
Q6. What is the initial contact phase of gait?
A. The moment the foot first contacts the ground (heel strike).
It comprises 0–2% of the gait cycle.
Rationale: Initial contact is the beginning of the stance phase.
The primary purpose is to establish stable foot contact with the
ground.
Q7. What is the loading response phase of gait?
A. The phase immediately following initial contact (0–10% of
gait cycle) during which the body weight is transferred onto the
stance limb.
Rationale: Loading response involves shock absorption through
knee flexion and controlled ankle plantarflexion. It is also called
the "foot flat" phase.
Q8. What is the mid-stance phase of gait?
A. The phase from 10–30% of the gait cycle during which the
body progresses over the stationary foot. The swing limb passes
the stance limb.
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Rationale: Mid-stance is the period of single-limb support when
the body's center of mass is directly over the stance foot.
Q9. What is the terminal stance phase of gait?
A. The phase from 30–50% of the gait cycle during which the
body continues to progress forward while the heel rises and the
forefoot remains on the ground.
Rationale: Terminal stance is also known as "heel-off." This
phase is critical for forward propulsion. Hallux and metatarsal
dysfunctions are most problematic during this phase.
Q10. What is the pre-swing phase of gait?
A. The phase from 50–60% of the gait cycle during which the
foot is preparing to leave the ground (toe-off). The stance limb
is unloaded and the swing limb prepares for advancement.
Rationale: Pre-swing is also known as "toe-off." It marks the
end of the stance phase and the beginning of the swing phase.
Q11. What is the initial swing phase of gait?
A. The phase from 60–73% of the gait cycle during which the
foot is lifted off the ground and begins to advance forward.
LECOM-SH OPP 1001 Exam 4: Gait Analysis and Comprehensive Clinical
Integration — Practice Questions with Detailed Rationales
SECTION 1: GAIT CYCLE FUNDAMENTALS & PHASES
Q1. What is the definition of a gait cycle?
A. A gait cycle is the sequence of movements from initial
contact (heel strike) of one foot to the next initial contact of the
same foot. It comprises one full stride, which includes two
steps.
Rationale: The gait cycle is the fundamental unit of walking
analysis. One cycle = one stride = two steps (right step + left
step). Understanding this basic definition is essential for all gait
analysis.
Q2. What are the two primary phases of the gait cycle?
A. The stance phase and the swing phase.
Rationale: The stance phase is when the foot is in contact with
the ground (approximately 60% of the gait cycle). The swing
phase is when the foot is off the ground (approximately 40% of
the gait cycle).
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Q3. What percentage of the gait cycle is spent in the stance
phase?
A. Approximately 60%.
Rationale: The stance phase comprises about 60% of the gait
cycle in normal walking. This longer duration provides stability
during weight-bearing.
Q4. What percentage of the gait cycle is spent in the swing
phase?
A. Approximately 40%.
Rationale: The swing phase comprises about 40% of the gait
cycle. During this phase, the foot is off the ground and
advancing forward.
Q5. What are the eight subphases of the gait cycle according to
the Rancho Los Amigos classification?
A. Initial contact, loading response, mid-stance, terminal stance,
pre-swing, initial swing, mid-swing, and terminal swing.
Rationale: The Rancho Los Amigos terminology is the standard
classification system for gait analysis. It divides the gait cycle
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into eight functional phases that describe specific
biomechanical events.
Q6. What is the initial contact phase of gait?
A. The moment the foot first contacts the ground (heel strike).
It comprises 0–2% of the gait cycle.
Rationale: Initial contact is the beginning of the stance phase.
The primary purpose is to establish stable foot contact with the
ground.
Q7. What is the loading response phase of gait?
A. The phase immediately following initial contact (0–10% of
gait cycle) during which the body weight is transferred onto the
stance limb.
Rationale: Loading response involves shock absorption through
knee flexion and controlled ankle plantarflexion. It is also called
the "foot flat" phase.
Q8. What is the mid-stance phase of gait?
A. The phase from 10–30% of the gait cycle during which the
body progresses over the stationary foot. The swing limb passes
the stance limb.
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Rationale: Mid-stance is the period of single-limb support when
the body's center of mass is directly over the stance foot.
Q9. What is the terminal stance phase of gait?
A. The phase from 30–50% of the gait cycle during which the
body continues to progress forward while the heel rises and the
forefoot remains on the ground.
Rationale: Terminal stance is also known as "heel-off." This
phase is critical for forward propulsion. Hallux and metatarsal
dysfunctions are most problematic during this phase.
Q10. What is the pre-swing phase of gait?
A. The phase from 50–60% of the gait cycle during which the
foot is preparing to leave the ground (toe-off). The stance limb
is unloaded and the swing limb prepares for advancement.
Rationale: Pre-swing is also known as "toe-off." It marks the
end of the stance phase and the beginning of the swing phase.
Q11. What is the initial swing phase of gait?
A. The phase from 60–73% of the gait cycle during which the
foot is lifted off the ground and begins to advance forward.
