National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) Practice Exam

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During a quantitative gait analysis, what is being measured when counting the number of steps taken in a 30-second period?

Cadence
Acceleration
Velocity
Distance

The correct answer is: Cadence

Cadence refers to the number of steps taken over a specific period of time, such as counting the number of steps in a 30-second duration. This measurement is crucial in gait analysis as it provides valuable insight into a person's walking rhythm and pace. Higher cadence indicates a quicker stepping rate, while lower cadence can suggest gait abnormalities or a slower walking pattern. Other choices focus on different aspects of gait. Acceleration measures the rate of change of velocity over time, which is not directly assessed by simply counting steps. Velocity involves the speed of walking over a distance, which would typically be measured in units such as meters per second rather than just counting steps in a time period. Distance measures how far someone has walked in a given timeframe, which again does not pertain to the counting of steps. Thus, counting the number of steps taken in a set time frame accurately reflects cadence.