Movement Analysis Practice Test

During the late stance phase, the point where the ground reaction force acts—the center of pressure—shifts forward across the sole toward the medial forefoot, preparing for push-off. As you move from heel contact toward toe-off, the CoP travels from the heel toward the first metatarsal head and the big toe region. This medial forefoot alignment maximizes the lever arm of the plantarflexors, especially the hallux, to generate propulsion and lift the body forward. Shifting posteriorly toward the heel or directly through the ankle joint isn’t how the ground reaction force is applied during this phase, and moving laterally toward the fifth toe would not provide the efficient push-off typical of normal gait.