What are the five phases of the stance phase in gait?

The five phases of the stance phase in gait are essential for understanding normal walking mechanics. The full stance phase consists of heel strike, foot flat, midstance, heel off, and toe off.

Heel strike is the initial contact of the foot with the ground, marking the beginning of the stance phase. This phase is crucial because it serves as the point where the body's weight begins to shift from the trailing leg to the advancing leg. Proper heel strike sets up the following phases and is vital for shock absorption and stability during gait.

Following heel strike, the foot moves into foot flat, where the entire foot makes contact with the ground. This phase helps to distribute weight and absorb forces. Then, midstance occurs as the body's weight shifts fully onto that foot, providing a stable base for balance. Heel off signifies the transition where the heel lifts off the ground, preparing the foot to push off as it enters the final phase, toe off.

Understanding these phases is key to analyzing and addressing gait abnormalities in physical therapy, making heel strike an important and foundational aspect of the stance phase. Each subsequent phase relies on the proper execution of heel strike to ensure efficient and coordinated movement.