Final answer:
The terminal swing phase of a gait cycle, crucial for foot placement and weight distribution, makes up about 10-30% of the total gait cycle.
Step-by-step explanation:
The terminal swing of a gait cycle refers to the phase in which the toe of the foot leaves the ground, and the leg moves forward to prepare for the next step. It is part of the overall gait cycle, which describes the movement of walking or running, usually divided into distinct phases for analysis in fields like physical therapy and biomechanics. Gait cycles can be complex to analyze due to the many muscular and skeletal components involved.
In terms of the terminal swing phase's percentage of the gait cycle, the correct answer is b. 10-30%. This means that during the last phase before the foot strikes the ground to begin a new cycle, the leg is moving forward for approximately 10 to 30 percent of the entire gait cycle. This phase is crucial as it positions the leg for proper foot placement and weight distribution.