GROUND REACTION FORCES OF NATIONAL LEVEL RACE WALKERS

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to measure and analyse ground reaction force variables during race walking. Fourteen national level race walkers, eight men and six women, walked at race pace over two force plates recording at 1000 Hz. Men and women had comparable force trace patterns except for the magnitude of the weight-loading peak force. There were similarities with normal ground reaction force patterns, although the drop in vertical force at midstance and subsequent rise in vertical push-off force typical of normal walking were not observed. This was considered to be due to the straightened knee rule of race walking and the need to reduce vertical displacment and flight time. The medial forces were greater than those in normal walking and this may be related to the frontal plane motions of the pelvis.