Which statement about single limb support is accurate?

Which statement about single limb support is accurate?

• A. It lasts about 60% of the gait cycle
• B. It lasts about 40% of the gait cycle
• C. It lasts about 20% of the gait cycle
• D. It lasts about 80% of the gait cycle

Answer: (B)

Single limb support is the portion of the gait cycle when only one limb is in contact with the ground. In normal walking, the cycle is about 100%. The stance phase, during which the foot is on the ground, lasts roughly 60% of the cycle and includes two short periods of double support (when both feet are on the ground) that total about 20% of the cycle. That arrangement leaves about 40% of the gait cycle with only one limb bearing weight—that’s single limb support. So the statement about single limb support lasting around 40% of the gait cycle is the accurate one. The other percentages don’t fit because they either misstate the amount of time both feet are on the ground or overstate how long one limb supports weight.

Single limb support is the portion of the gait cycle when only one limb is in contact with the ground. In normal walking, the cycle is about 100%. The stance phase, during which the foot is on the ground, lasts roughly 60% of the cycle and includes two short periods of double support (when both feet are on the ground) that total about 20% of the cycle. That arrangement leaves about 40% of the gait cycle with only one limb bearing weight—that’s single limb support. So the statement about single limb support lasting around 40% of the gait cycle is the accurate one. The other percentages don’t fit because they either misstate the amount of time both feet are on the ground or overstate how long one limb supports weight.