RACE WALKING GROUND REACTION FORCES

Abstract

Race walking is an athletic event which is contested in most major international track and field competitions, including the Olympics. It is also slowly growing in popularity as a form of exercise and recreation. The rules of race walking state that it is "progression by steps so taken that unbroken contact with the ground is maintained". Further, "during the period of each step when a foot is on the ground, the leg must be straightened (i.e., not bent at the knee) at least for one moment... in the vertical upright position" (I . A . A . F . , 1982) .