Stance Phase
The portion of the gait cycle during which the foot is in contact with the ground, comprising approximately 60% of the total gait cycle and subdivided into initial contact, loading response, midstance, terminal stance, and pre-swing.
Full Definition
The stance phase begins at initial contact (heel strike) and ends at toe-off, during which the limb bears body weight. It is subdivided into five sub-phases: initial contact, loading response, midstance, terminal stance, and pre-swing. These sub-phases correspond to distinct biomechanical events — shock absorption, weight acceptance, single-limb support, and propulsion — each of which may be targeted by specific orthotic design features. Understanding stance phase events is essential for editors working on gait analysis reports and orthotic clinical notes. It should not be confused with the swing phase, which is the period of foot clearance.
Usage
Usage note: Always two words; do not hyphenate as a compound noun. Sub-phases (e.g., midstance, pre-swing) may be hyphenated per style convention but should be treated consistently throughout a document.
In Context
- "Peak plantar pressure beneath the second metatarsal head was observed during the terminal stance phase of the gait cycle." — Pressure mapping report
- "The floor-reaction orthosis was prescribed to provide a knee-extension moment throughout the stance phase in this patient with quadriceps weakness." — Orthotic clinical review