BIOMECHANICS OF ELITE JUNIOR RACE WALKERS

Abstract

The elite junior race walker is less studied than the infrequently studied senior race walker. Data collection and analysis of the younger walker might be o f some value to coaches and biomechanists in studying the development o f young athletes aside from the obvious benefits to a particular competitor. What parameters of style might be exhibited by the younger walker? How do these parameters differ among the elite junior walkers? How might the studied parameters change with fatigue during competition. This exploratory study, the initial phase of ongoing research into the dynamics of the sport, focuses on stride lengths, stride frequencies, arm angles and foot strike angles.