How much of the gait cycle is made up by the stance phase?

The stance phase of the gait cycle constitutes approximately 60% of the total gait cycle. During this phase, the foot is in contact with the ground, enabling weight transfer and support for the body while the other foot is in the swing phase.

The stance phase encompasses several key sub-phases: heel strike, foot flat, midstance, heel off, and toe off. Each of these contributes to the overall duration that a foot spends in contact with the ground as the body moves forward.

In a typical gait cycle, the swing phase accounts for the remaining portion, roughly 40%. Therefore, the stance phase being around 60% of the gait cycle is a well-established observation in biomechanics and physical therapy, making this understanding critical for evaluating and designing therapeutic interventions for individuals with gait abnormalities.