What does a gait cycle represent?

A gait cycle represents the complete process of movement associated with walking and consists of the entire sequence of movements from one heel strike to the next heel strike of the same limb. This includes both the stance phase, where the foot is in contact with the ground, and the swing phase, where the foot moves through the air to prepare for the next contact.

By defining the gait cycle in this manner, it emphasizes the continuous and rhythmic nature of walking. The cycle helps clinicians assess walking patterns, balance, and overall locomotion, making it a critical concept in physical therapy and rehabilitation.

The other options describe specific parts of the gait cycle or different measurements related to gait but do not encompass the full definition. For instance, measuring from toe-off to the next heel strike captures only a portion of the gait cycle, while the total distance covered in a stride does not account for the timing and sequence of movements. Lastly, the timing from heel strike of one limb to toe-off of the opposite limb would isolate coordination between limbs, which is part of the cycle but doesn’t provide a complete definition for a single gait cycle itself.