Where does the center of pressure begin during initial contact?

Where does the center of pressure begin during initial contact?

• A. Posterior heel
• B. Hallux
• C. Medial forefoot
• D. Lateral toes

Answer: (A)

The center of pressure is the single point where the ground reaction force acts on the sole. It starts where the foot first makes contact with the ground. In a typical walking pattern with a rearfoot strike, that initial contact is the posterior heel, so the CoP begins there. As you roll through stance, the load shifts forward along the sole toward the ball of the foot and the toes. If someone lands on the forefoot or midfoot, the starting point would be under that region instead.

The center of pressure is the single point where the ground reaction force acts on the sole. It starts where the foot first makes contact with the ground. In a typical walking pattern with a rearfoot strike, that initial contact is the posterior heel, so the CoP begins there. As you roll through stance, the load shifts forward along the sole toward the ball of the foot and the toes. If someone lands on the forefoot or midfoot, the starting point would be under that region instead.