At which point in the gait cycle are the most muscles actively engaged?

The moment of heel strike, or initial contact, in the gait cycle is characterized by significant muscular engagement to facilitate the transition from one phase of the gait cycle to the next. At this point, the primary objectives include stabilizing the body, absorbing shock, and preparing for forward propulsion.

During heel strike, the tibialis anterior is actively engaged to control foot position and prevent foot slap as the heel makes contact with the ground. Additionally, the quadriceps are active to help absorb the impact and stabilize the knee joint. The gluteus maximus and hip extensors are also engaged to maintain posture and prevent excessive forward lean. This coordinated activation ensures that the body can effectively manage the load at initial contact and transition smoothly into the subsequent phases of gait.

As the phase progresses into foot flat and loading response, other muscle groups also engage, but the peak activation across the various muscle groups occurs predominantly during the moment of initial contact. This is significant, as it sets the stage for a stable and controlled stance phase, making heel strike a critical point in the gait cycle where the most muscles are actively engaged.