A biomechanical analysis of racewalking gait

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the kinetic and kinematic properties of the lower extremity during the phases of the racewalking gait as defined by the rules and compare these to normal walking and running. Cinematographic and force plate data were gathered from 10 competitive racewalkers under four gait conditions. Temporal parameters, angular displacements of the lower extremity, ground reaction forces, path of the center of pressure, and the joint forces during the four gait conditions were compared using a repeated measures analysis of variance. Racewalkers exhibited significantly increased (P less than 0.01) maximal ankle dorsiflexion, maximal knee extension, angular displacements of the pelvis, medial ground-foot reaction forces, peak plantar flexion moment, and external peak knee hyperextension moment than did walking or running. Based upon the results of this investigation, it was determined that the gait of racewalking exhibits some biomechanical characteristics which are different from the gaits of walking or running.