Which statement best describes the location of the center of pressure at heel contact?

Which statement best describes the location of the center of pressure at heel contact?

• A. At hallux
• B. Medial forefoot
• C. Just lateral to the midpoint of the heel
• D. Lateral toes

Answer: (C)

Center of pressure represents the point on the plantar surface where the ground reaction force effectively acts. At heel contact, the foot first touches the ground with the heel, and the resulting force is applied near the heel itself. The best description is that this contact point sits just lateral to the midpoint of the heel. This location reflects how the foot and ankle are oriented at initial contact and how the pressure distribution across the heel sits slightly toward the outside edge as weight begins to transfer onto the foot. As stance progresses, the center of pressure shifts forward toward the arch and forefoot, but at the moment of heel contact it sits near the posterior heel and a touch to the outside edge. The other options point to areas that aren’t the primary initial contact region—under the hallux, the medial forefoot, or the farther-out toes—so they don’t describe where the ground reaction force is first applied during heel strike.

Center of pressure represents the point on the plantar surface where the ground reaction force effectively acts. At heel contact, the foot first touches the ground with the heel, and the resulting force is applied near the heel itself. The best description is that this contact point sits just lateral to the midpoint of the heel. This location reflects how the foot and ankle are oriented at initial contact and how the pressure distribution across the heel sits slightly toward the outside edge as weight begins to transfer onto the foot.

As stance progresses, the center of pressure shifts forward toward the arch and forefoot, but at the moment of heel contact it sits near the posterior heel and a touch to the outside edge. The other options point to areas that aren’t the primary initial contact region—under the hallux, the medial forefoot, or the farther-out toes—so they don’t describe where the ground reaction force is first applied during heel strike.