Final answer:
The hamstrings are responsible for decelerating the lower leg during the late swing phase. They are part of the posterior compartment of the thigh and help retract the leg toward the pelvis. Other muscle groups in the lower body have different functions, such as the quadriceps for leg extension and the gluteal muscles for hip extension.
Step-by-step explanation:
The muscle group responsible for decelerating the lower leg during the late swing phase of walking is the hamstrings. This muscle group is part of the posterior compartment of the thigh and includes muscles such as the biceps femoris, semitendinosus, and semimembranosus. These muscles attach the leg to the pelvic girdle and are involved in movements that retract the leg towards the buttocks, such as in the late swing phase to slow down the leg in preparation for the next step.
The functions of other muscle groups include the following: The quadriceps femoris group is responsible for extending the lower leg out in front of the body, like when kicking, and helps raise the knee. The gluteal group is involved in extending the hip joint, and muscles like the sartorius and gracilis enable movements such as crossing the legs.
Regarding the muscles of the lower leg involved in dorsiflexion and plantar flexion, the muscles in the anterior compartment of the lower leg, such as the tibialis anterior, are generally responsible for dorsiflexion, and the muscles in the posterior compartment of the lower leg, such as the gastrocnemius and soleus, are responsible for plantar flexion.