Step width is the

• A. Distance between the feet during a stance
• B. Distance between the points of contact of both feet
• C. The length of a single step in time
• D. The distance the pelvis travels during gait

Answer: (B)

Step width is the mediolateral distance between the points where the feet contact the ground during gait. It reflects how far apart the feet are side-to-side as you step, essentially defining the lateral base of support. This distance is usually measured between the contact points of the two feet (often the heel contact points) from one step to the next. It’s a stability-related measure: a smaller width narrows the base and can challenge balance, while a larger width widens the base and can improve stability. It is not about how long a step lasts (time) or about the overall distance a pelvis travels, and it’s not merely the distance between the feet at a single moment during a stance.