Gluteus maximus begins activity during which phase?

Gluteus maximus begins activity during which phase?

• A. Terminal swing
• B. Mid-sstance
• C. Mid-swing
• D. Pre-swing only

Answer: (A)

In walking, gluteus maximus helps control the transition from swing to stance by eccentrically slowing hip flexion as the thigh moves forward. Its activity begins in terminal swing, just before foot contact, to position the hip for heel strike and help stabilize the trunk. During mid-swing the leg is driven forward mainly by hip flexors, so the gluteus maximus isn’t initiating activity there. In mid-stance the hip is extending to support the body, with other muscles handling stability, so this muscle isn’t the primary initiator. In pre-swing, propulsion comes mainly from the plantarflexors, not the hip extensors. So the phase where gluteus maximus begins activity is terminal swing.

In walking, gluteus maximus helps control the transition from swing to stance by eccentrically slowing hip flexion as the thigh moves forward. Its activity begins in terminal swing, just before foot contact, to position the hip for heel strike and help stabilize the trunk.

During mid-swing the leg is driven forward mainly by hip flexors, so the gluteus maximus isn’t initiating activity there. In mid-stance the hip is extending to support the body, with other muscles handling stability, so this muscle isn’t the primary initiator. In pre-swing, propulsion comes mainly from the plantarflexors, not the hip extensors.

So the phase where gluteus maximus begins activity is terminal swing.