Standbein

Standbein, in German anatomy and biomechanics, refers to the leg that bears the body's weight during standing and locomotion. It is the counterpart to the swing leg (Schwungbein), which moves forward during the gait cycle.

During gait, the standbein passes through the stance phase, comprising about 60% of the cycle. The knee, hip, and ankle joints align to support vertical load, absorb impact, and propel the body forward during toe-off. Muscle groups such as the quadriceps, gluteus maximus and medius, calf muscles, and intrinsic foot muscles act to stabilize the limb and maintain balance. The opposite leg is the swing leg, advancing in preparation for the next stance.

In dance and sports, the standbein concept is used to describe balance and alignment on one leg. Practitioners train with single-leg stands, pliés, relevés, and transfers to enhance proprioception, stability, and proprioceptive feedback.

In clinical contexts, evaluation of the standbein includes assessing strength, range of motion, and the ability to absorb ground reaction forces. Abnormalities in stand-leg function can indicate injuries to the knee, hip, ankle, or lower back, or contribute to degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis. Rehabilitation programs often emphasize progressive loading, balance training, and neuromuscular control.

See also: gait cycle, stance phase, swing phase, biomechanics, ballet terminology, proprioception.