Foot and Ankle
Muscle Action During Gait Cycle
| Phase of Gait | Mechanical Goals | Active Muscle Groups |
|---|---|---|
| Heel strike (initial contact) | Lower forefoot to ground | Ankle dorsiflexors (eccentric contraction) |
| Continue deceleration (reverse forward swing) | Hip extensors | |
| Preserve longitudinal arch of foot | Intrinsic muscles of foot | |
| Long tendons of foot | ||
| Loading response (flat foot) | Accept weight | Knee extensors |
| Decelerate mass | Ankle plantarflexors | |
| Stabilize pelvis | Hip abductors | |
| Preserve longitudinal arch of foot | Intrinsic muscles of foot | |
| Long tendons of foot | ||
| Midstance | Stabilize knee | Knee extensors |
| Control dorsiflexion (preserve momentum) | Ankle plantarflexors (eccentric contraction) | |
| Stabilize pelvis | Hip abductors | |
| Preserve longitudinal arch of foot | Intrinsic muscles of foot | |
| Terminal stance (heel off) | Accelerate mass | Ankle plantarflexors (concentric contraction) |
| Stabilize pelvis | Hip abductors | |
| Preserve arches of foot; fix forefoot | Intrinsic muscles of foot | |
| Long tendons of foot | ||
| Preswing (toe off) | Accelerate mass | Long flexors of digits |
| Preserve arches of foot; fix forefoot | Intrinsic muscles of foot | |
| Long tendons of foot | ||
| Decelerate thigh; prepare for swing | Flexor of hip (eccentric contraction) | |
| Initial swing | Accelerate thigh, vary cadence | Flexor of hip (concentric contraction) |
| Clear foot | Ankle dorsiflexors | |
| Midstance | Clear foot | Ankle dorsiflexors |
| Terminal swing | Decelerate thigh | Hip extensors (eccentric contraction) |
| Decelerate leg | Knee flexors (eccentric contraction) |