Two steps equals one stride equals what?: the applicability of normal gait nomenclature to abnormal walking patterns.

This paper considers the basic definitions of 'step' and 'stride' and the temporal phases of the gait cycle, derived from consideration of normal walking patterns. The paper also examines a number of pathological gait patterns to test the universal clinical applicability of these definitions. The objective is not to reject established conventions for naming steps and strides, or the phases naturally occurring within them, but rather to word these conventions a little less rigidly, so that without loss of descriptive precision. some of the more common oatholoaical gaits can also be accommodated.