37n-158


The gait cycle begins with floor contact by one foot and ends with the next consecutive floor contact of that same foot. This graphic illustrates the various phases of the gait cycle.

Components include:

  • Foot strike
  • Loading response
  • Mid-stance
  • Heel-off
  • Toe-off 
  • Acceleration
  • Midswing
  • Deceleration 

The foot strike through toe-off is considered the stance phase and comprises 60% of the cycle. The remaining elements constitute the swing phase.