Name a key component in the assessment of a patient’s functional mobility.

In the assessment of a patient’s functional mobility, gait analysis is crucial because it provides insights into how efficiently and effectively a person moves, which is fundamental to their ability to perform daily activities. Gait analysis involves observing and evaluating the patterns of walking, identifying any abnormalities, and understanding how those patterns impact overall mobility.

By examining a patient's gait, physical therapists can assess balance, cadence, stride length, and symmetry, which are all essential components of functional mobility. This analysis helps identify specific issues that may affect a patient’s independence and can guide the development of personalized intervention strategies aimed at improving mobility and preventing falls.

While range of motion, muscle strength, and postural assessment are important to overall function and can influence mobility, they don't specifically address the dynamics of movement during walking and other functional tasks in the same way that gait analysis does.