Ground reaction forces are applied to what structure during gait?

Ground reaction forces are applied to what structure during gait?

• A. Foot by the ground
• B. Ground by the foot
• C. Knee by the femur
• D. Hip by the trunk

Answer: (A)

The force at play is the one the ground exerts on the body at the moment of foot contact. When the foot strikes the ground, the ground pushes upward on the foot (with vertical and horizontal components). This ground reaction force supports the body's weight, helps propel you forward, and is transmitted upward through the leg as you roll through stance. So, the immediate structure that the ground reaction force acts on is the foot. The force isn’t applied directly to the knee or hip by the ground; those joints experience load as the force is transferred up the leg from the foot.

The force at play is the one the ground exerts on the body at the moment of foot contact. When the foot strikes the ground, the ground pushes upward on the foot (with vertical and horizontal components). This ground reaction force supports the body's weight, helps propel you forward, and is transmitted upward through the leg as you roll through stance. So, the immediate structure that the ground reaction force acts on is the foot. The force isn’t applied directly to the knee or hip by the ground; those joints experience load as the force is transferred up the leg from the foot.