A Complete Gait Cycle
A complete gait cycle begins with one foot making contact on the ground and ending with the same foot making contact on the ground for the second time. The two main phases that will occur during the gait cycle are ‘Stance Phase’ and the ‘Swing Phase’.
Stance Phase
• Heel strike- the point when the heel hits the floor
• Foot flat- the point where the whole foot comes into contact with the floor
• Mid stance- where we are transferring weight from the back, to the front of our feet
• Toe off- pushing off with the toes to propel us forward
Swing Phase
• Acceleration- the period from toe off to maximum knee flexion in order for the foot to clear the ground
• Mid- swing – the period between maximum knee flexion and forward movement of tibia to
Stance Phase
• Heel strike- the point when the heel hits the floor
• Foot flat- the point where the whole foot comes into contact with the floor
• Mid stance- where we are transferring weight from the back, to the front of our feet
• Toe off- pushing off with the toes to propel us forward
Swing Phase
• Acceleration- the period from toe off to maximum knee flexion in order for the foot to clear the ground
• Mid- swing – the period between maximum knee flexion and forward movement of tibia to