During gait, which phase involves the greatest ankle dorsiflexion as the body moves over the foot?

During gait, which phase involves the greatest ankle dorsiflexion as the body moves over the foot?

• A. During early stance
• B. During midstance
• C. During loading response
• D. During swing phase

Answer: (B)

The phase where the greatest ankle dorsiflexion occurs is midstance, when the body weight is directly over the stance foot. As the tibia moves forward over the stationary foot, the ankle must dorsiflex to allow forward progression and keep the body balanced over the foot. This dorsiflexion peaks as the center of gravity passes over the ankle, just before the heel rises to begin propulsion.

In early stance the ankle is near neutral or plantarflexed and controlled eccentrically by the calf muscles as weight is loaded. During loading response there’s a brief plantarflexion to absorb shock rather than maximal dorsiflexion. In swing, the foot is off the ground and dorsiflexion helps clear the toes, but it’s not about moving the body over a planted foot. So midstance is the phase with the greatest dorsiflexion during gait.