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By Ravneet Singh, PT
LSP, ALPS and Content creator - NPTE FF
Co-founder and Instructor – PCE FF
Phase Joint ROM Concentric Eccentric Rockers

Hip 20 degrees flexion Flexors Extensors Heel Rocker

Initial Knee 0-5 degrees flexion Hams (slight) Quads

Contact
Ankle 0 degrees (neutral) None Dorsiflexors

Hip 20 flexion None (flexion Extensors

somewhat) Adductors
Loading
Response Knee 15 flexion Hams (slight) Quads (strong)

Ankle 5 plantar flexion Plantar Flexors Dorsiflexors

Hip 0 degrees (neutral) None (for sagittal Abductors

plane)
Mid Stance Ankle Rocker
Knee 0-5 degrees flexion None Quads (initially) (from mid
stance to
Ankle 5 degrees Dorsiflexors Plantar Flexors terminal
dorsiflexion (calf muscles) stance)

Hip 20 degrees None Hip Flexors

hyperextension (elongation of the
Terminal hip flexors) Ankle Rocker
Stance (from mid
Knee 0-5 degrees flexion None Knee extensors stance to
terminal
Ankle 10 degrees Dorsiflexors Plantar Flexors stance)
dorsiflexion Forefoot
Rocker (from
Foot 30 degrees extension terminal
at MTPJ stance to pre-
swing)

Hip 10 degrees Flexors Extensors and

hyperextension Adductors
Pre-Swing Forefoot
Knee 40 degrees flexion Flexors (Slight) None Rocker (from
terminal
Ankle 15 degrees plantar Plantar Dorsiflexors
flexion Flexors (strong)
 Foot 60 degrees extension stance to pre-
at MTPJ swing)

Hip 15 degrees flexion Flexors Extensors

Initial Swing Knee 60 degrees flexion Hamstrings Quads

Ankle 5 degrees plantar Dorsiflexors Plantar Flexors

flexion

Hip 25 degrees flexion Flexors Extensors

Mid Swing Knee 25 degrees flexion Quads Hamstrings

Ankle 0 degrees (neutral) Dorsiflexors initially Dorsiflexors

(none at the end of
the phase)

Hip 20 degrees flexion None (major) Extensors

Hip flexor torque
Terminal reduces as it
Swing decelerates

Knee 0-5 degrees flexion Quads Hams (strongest)

Ankle 0 degrees (neutral) None Dorsiflexors

Extra Notes –

• There are only two phases when Dorsiflexion passes neutral – Mid Stance (5 degrees
dorsiflexion) and Terminal Stance (10 degrees Dorsiflexion)
• The strongest rocker – Forefoot Rocker
• The strongest torque of hamstrings – Terminal Swing
• The only two phases with MTP involvement – Terminal Swing (30 degrees extension) and
Pre-Swing (60 degrees extension)
• Friction –
- Controls (stops) Excessive flexion at Initial Swing
- Controls (stops) excessive knee extension at terminal swing
• Extension aid – helps to achieve Knee extension during terminal swing