Which aspects of gait are assessed in the HDS?

The Hester Davis Scale (HDS) focuses on specific components of gait that are crucial for evaluating an individual’s risk of falling. The key aspects assessed include stride length, speed, and stability.

Stride length refers to the distance covered in one complete walking cycle, which can provide insights into a person's balance and overall mobility. Speed is important because a decreased walking speed can indicate a higher risk of falls; slower gait can reflect underlying issues such as weakness or instability. Stability is assessed through observation of the individual's ability to maintain balance during walking, which is fundamental in fall risk assessment.

These components are significant indicators of how a person navigates their environment, and deficiencies in any of these areas can lead to increased fall risk. The other choices, while related to overall physical fitness and function, do not directly pertain to the specific aspects of gait that the HDS evaluates.