During terminal stance and pre-swing, the center of pressure shifts where?

During terminal stance and pre-swing, the center of pressure shifts where?

• A. Posteriorly to the heel
• B. Lateral across the rearfoot
• C. Medially across the forefoot toward the toes/hallux
• D. Directly through the center of the calcaneus only

Answer: (C)

In late stance and pre-swing, the foot transitions into a rigid lever for propulsion, so the center of pressure moves forward and toward the medial forefoot, ending under the toes and hallux. This medial forefoot loading optimizes the lever arm of the big toe for toe-off, providing the strongest propulsive push. The heel is no longer the primary loading point, and the load does not stay confined to the calcaneus or shift laterally across the rearfoot, which is why those options don’t fit.

In late stance and pre-swing, the foot transitions into a rigid lever for propulsion, so the center of pressure moves forward and toward the medial forefoot, ending under the toes and hallux. This medial forefoot loading optimizes the lever arm of the big toe for toe-off, providing the strongest propulsive push. The heel is no longer the primary loading point, and the load does not stay confined to the calcaneus or shift laterally across the rearfoot, which is why those options don’t fit.