STRIKING TECHNIQUE AND LEG STIFFNESS IN BAREFOOT RUNNING

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The purpose of the current study was to examine the differences in leg stiffness between barefoot running styles; fore-foot/mid-foot strike (FFS/MFS) and rear-foot strike (RFS). Five active male college students between the ages of 18 and 22 (1.83 ±0.01 m; 82.10 ±5.12 kg) were recruited. Each participant performed a maximum of five 10-m runs at velocity of 4-5m/s, in each condition (FFS/MFS & RFS), over two force platforms. Vertical center of mass (CoM) oscillation, peak GRF, and leg stiffness were analyzed. Results indicated there is a significant difference in leg stiffness between FFS/MFS and RFS in the barefoot condition (p<0.01). These results suggested that running style is an important factor that must be controlled for when examining leg stiffness in barefoot running.