The two bursts of hip adductor activity during gait correspond to which timing?

The two bursts of hip adductor activity during gait correspond to which timing?

• A. Only during early stance
• B. Both during late swing
• C. Just after toe off and at heel contact
• D. Throughout the entire stance

Answer: (C)

Two brief bursts of hip adductor activity occur at key transitions in the gait cycle: around heel contact and just after toe-off. At heel contact, as the foot lands and the body accepts weight, the adductors help stabilize the pelvis in the frontal plane and control the thigh’s alignment against the ground reaction forces. Then, just after toe-off, as the limb begins to move into swing, another burst helps maintain pelvic and femoral alignment during the transition from stance to swing. This timing reflects the need for rapid stabilization during changeover between support and advancement, rather than continuous activity throughout stance.

Two brief bursts of hip adductor activity occur at key transitions in the gait cycle: around heel contact and just after toe-off. At heel contact, as the foot lands and the body accepts weight, the adductors help stabilize the pelvis in the frontal plane and control the thigh’s alignment against the ground reaction forces. Then, just after toe-off, as the limb begins to move into swing, another burst helps maintain pelvic and femoral alignment during the transition from stance to swing. This timing reflects the need for rapid stabilization during changeover between support and advancement, rather than continuous activity throughout stance.