Final answer:
The correct action sequence for the gait cycle is starting with hip extension during the initial stance, followed by flexion during the swing phase for foot clearance. Knee extension occurs early in stance for weight acceptance, with increased flexion during swing for clearance. The ankle displays plantarflexion then dorsiflexion in the stance, returning to plantarflexion at push-off.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct series of actions for the gait cycle is A: Hip extends at the beginning of stance followed by a progressive flexion and extends prior to a final flexion for clearance during swing. Understanding the movements involved in the gait cycle is important not only for academic purposes but also for clinical and sports applications. During the gait cycle, specific actions occur at various joints in the lower limb.
At the hip joint, an extension begins as the foot contacts the ground, moving to flexion as the body passes over the supporting foot. At the beginning of the swing phase, hip extension propels the leg forward before switching to flexion to prepare for the next foot strike. For the knee joint, it extends for weight acceptance during the early stage of the stance phase and flexes slightly as the body weight shifts over it, and then it flexes more during the swing phase to clear the foot from the ground. Meanwhile, the ankle initially shows a slight plantarflexion at contact, dorsiflexion as the foot comes flat onto the ground, and then plantarflexion again to help propel the body forward at the end of the stance phase.