Which phase occupies about 60% of the gait cycle for one limb?

Which phase occupies about 60% of the gait cycle for one limb?

• A. 40%
• B. 50%
• C. 60%
• D. 70%

Answer: (C)

In walking, a single limb’s movement is divided into stance and swing phases. The stance phase—the time the foot is in contact with the ground to bear weight and help propel the body—occupies about 60% of the gait cycle. It runs from initial contact (heel strike) through loading response, midstance, and terminal stance up to toe-off. The remaining ~40% is the swing phase, when the foot is off the ground and advancing forward to the next step. So the phase that takes roughly 60% of the cycle is the stance phase. The other options don’t fit because they correspond to other portions of the cycle (not the majority on the ground) or aren’t the typical proportions for a healthy gait.

In walking, a single limb’s movement is divided into stance and swing phases. The stance phase—the time the foot is in contact with the ground to bear weight and help propel the body—occupies about 60% of the gait cycle. It runs from initial contact (heel strike) through loading response, midstance, and terminal stance up to toe-off. The remaining ~40% is the swing phase, when the foot is off the ground and advancing forward to the next step. So the phase that takes roughly 60% of the cycle is the stance phase. The other options don’t fit because they correspond to other portions of the cycle (not the majority on the ground) or aren’t the typical proportions for a healthy gait.