Which muscles provide push-off during terminal stance and pre-swing?

Which muscles provide push-off during terminal stance and pre-swing?

• A. Tibialis anterior and EHL
• B. Gluteus medius and minimus
• C. Quadriceps only
• D. Gastrocnemius and soleus

Answer: (D)

Push-off in terminal stance and pre-swing comes from the ankle plantarflexors. As the leg moves toward toe-off, the gastrocnemius and soleus contract to plantarflex the ankle, driving the foot against the ground and propelling the body forward into the swing phase. The soleus provides a steady, strong plantarflexion throughout late stance, while the gastrocnemius adds to the moment, with its knee-crossing action offering some knee contribution too but not the main source of propulsion. The other muscles listed don’t generate this forward push: the tibialis anterior and extensor hallucis longus mainly dorsiflex the foot and assist with foot clearance during swing; the gluteus medius and minimus stabilize the pelvis during stance; and the quadriceps focus on knee extension and weight-bearing earlier in stance, not the push-off itself.

Push-off in terminal stance and pre-swing comes from the ankle plantarflexors. As the leg moves toward toe-off, the gastrocnemius and soleus contract to plantarflex the ankle, driving the foot against the ground and propelling the body forward into the swing phase. The soleus provides a steady, strong plantarflexion throughout late stance, while the gastrocnemius adds to the moment, with its knee-crossing action offering some knee contribution too but not the main source of propulsion. The other muscles listed don’t generate this forward push: the tibialis anterior and extensor hallucis longus mainly dorsiflex the foot and assist with foot clearance during swing; the gluteus medius and minimus stabilize the pelvis during stance; and the quadriceps focus on knee extension and weight-bearing earlier in stance, not the push-off itself.