What does gait analysis primarily assess?

Gait analysis primarily focuses on observing and evaluating the walking patterns of an individual to identify any abnormalities. This assessment is crucial in various fields, including orthopedics, rehabilitation, and sports medicine, as it helps to understand how different factors may affect a person's movement. By examining elements such as stride length, cadence, balance, and the mechanics of each phase of the walking cycle, health professionals can determine if there are any deviations from normal gait, which could indicate underlying issues such as muscle imbalances, joint problems, or neurological conditions.

While joint flexibility, muscle strength, and bone density are important aspects of physical health and can influence gait, they are not the primary focus of gait analysis. The goal of the analysis is to assess how a person walks and to identify any abnormalities that might lead to injury or hinder mobility, making the assessment of walking patterns the central component of gait analysis.