Final answer:
At heel contact, the ankle is typically dorsiflexed to allow the foot to clear the ground and prepare the body to absorb impact.
Step-by-step explanation:
At heel contact, the ankle is typically in a dorsiflexed position. Dorsiflexion occurs when lifting the front of the foot so that the top of the foot moves toward the anterior leg, allowing the forefoot to clear the ground as the leg swings forward during walking. On heel contact, the body prepares to absorb impact and maintain balance as the rest of the foot comes down. This movement opposes plantarflexion, where the heel is lifted off the ground, such as when standing on tiptoes or when the foot pushes off the ground during the push-off phase of walking or running.