Final answer:
The normal gait cycle comprises six components: Heel Strike, Foot Flat, Mid-Stance, Heel Off, Toe Off, and Swing Phase. Clinical tests, including tandem gait and the Romberg test, evaluate coordination and balance to identify neurological or proprioceptive impairments.
Step-by-step explanation:
Each of these components must be precisely coordinated for smooth and efficient movement, and they are controlled by various structures in the brain, including the cerebrum, basal ganglia, and cerebellum.
Assessing the abnormal gait, such as ataxia, helps in identifying dysfunctions in these brain regions or in the peripheral nerves or muscles. Clinical tests, like tandem gait and the Romberg test, are used to examine the coordination and balance aspects of gait, and can indicate deficits in the vestibulocerebellum or proprioceptive pathways.
Understanding the normal gait cycle is crucial for diagnosing and treating movement disorders. Subtests such as observing the patient's regular walking pattern, balance during various stances, and ability to hop on one foot are part of standard neurological examinations to assess gait and balance.