THE MEASUREMENT OF KINETIC VARIABLES IN RACE WALKING

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to measure kinetic variables during race walking. Forty national and international race walkers walked either 5 km or 10 km at a pace equivalent to 105% of their season’s best time. Junior athletes walked 5 km, while senior athletes (mostly 20 km walkers) walked 10 km. Kinetic data were collected using a Gaitway treadmill (1000 Hz). Data were collected at the 2.5 km point. Men had longer step lengths than women and walked faster as a result. There was little difference in cadence. Average flight times for each group of athlete were approximately 0.04 s. Senior athletes showed more ‘typical’ race walking vertical force patterns than the juniors; this may be linked to quantity of training experience and gait efficiency. Athletes are advised to develop muscular strength endurance to cope with loading rates upon initial contact.