What type of moment occurs at the knee during toe-off (pre-swing)?

During the toe-off phase of gait, which occurs in the pre-swing stage, a flexion moment is generated at the knee. This moment is primarily influenced by the activity and positioning of the muscles around the knee joint.

As the foot prepares to leave the ground, the quadriceps muscles are less active, and the hamstrings play a crucial role in facilitating the knee flexion. This flexion helps to lift the leg and foot off the ground, allowing for a smooth transition into the next phase of walking.

This phase also involves significant contributions from the ankle and hip joints, but focusing specifically on the knee, the flexion moment is essential for preparing the limb for the forward swing, as it allows for efficient movement patterns and helps in maintaining balance throughout the gait cycle.

At this moment, an extension moment would not be correct, as that would imply a straightening of the knee, which is not happening during toe-off. Additionally, while the knee can achieve full extension during the gait cycle, this is not explicitly what is occurring at toe-off. Likewise, a stabilizing moment typically refers to maintaining posture rather than the dynamic movement involved in the pre-swing phase. Thus, identifying the moment as a flexion moment accurately represents the