Phases of Normal Gait Cycle

Question 1

Initial Contact

Answer 1

Begins: foot first contacts the floor (heel strike).
Ends: Limb begins to accept weight.
0% of gait cycle; double-limb support

Question 2

Loading Response

Answer 2

Begins: As limb accepts weight
Ends: Contralateral limb leaves the floor
12% of gait cycle; double-limb support

Question 3

Mid-Stance

Answer 3

Begins: Contralateral limbs leaves the floor.
Ends: Body’s COG is directly over the support limb.
31% of gait cycle; Single-limb support

Question 4

Terminal Stance

Answer 4

Begins: Body’s COG is directly over the supporting limb.
Ends: Contralateral limb makes contact with the floor.
50% of gait cycle; single-limb support (transitioning to double-limb support).

Question 5

Pre-Swing

Answer 5

Begins: Contralateral limb makes contact with the floor.
Ends: the toes of the reference limb leaves the floor (toe off).
62% of gait cycle; double-limb support

Question 6

Initial Swing

Answer 6

Begins: Toes of reference limb leaves the floor.
Ends: Knee of referent limb is in maximal flexion.
75% of gait cycle; Single-limb support.

Question 7

Mid-Swing

Answer 7

Begins: Maximal knee flexion of referent limb.
Ends: Tibia of referent limb is perpendicular to the floor.
87% of gait cycle; single-limb support

Question 8

Terminal Swing

Answer 8

Begins: Tibia of referent limb is perpendicular to the floor.
Ends: Just before the foot makes contact with the floor.
100% of gait cycle; Single-limb support