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Updated: May 6, 2026
Lower-Limb Biomechanical Characteristics Associated with Unplanned Gait Termination Under Different Walking Speeds
Published on: August 25, 2020
Foot strike pattern and gait changes during a 161-km ultramarathon.
Mark E Kasmer1, Jeremy J Wren, Martin D Hoffman
11Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin; 2Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Veterans Affairs, Northern California Health Care System, Sacramento, California; and 3Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, California.
In ultramarathons, rear-foot strike (RFS) prevalence increased with fatigue. Faster runners used non-RFS patterns late in the race, potentially due to lower muscular demands, as indicated by creatine phosphokinase (CK) levels.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Biomechanics
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Foot strike pattern is crucial in running biomechanics.
- Fatigue in ultramarathons may alter gait parameters like foot strike.
- Limited research exists on foot strike patterns during extreme endurance events.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine changes in foot strike pattern, stride rate, and stride length during a 161-km ultramarathon.
- To determine the relationship between foot strike pattern and performance.
- To ascertain if post-race creatine phosphokinase (CK) concentrations differ by foot strike pattern.
Main Methods:
- Video analysis of runners at 16.5, 90.3, and 161.1 km during an ultramarathon.
- Assessment of foot strike pattern (rear-foot strike - RFS vs. non-RFS).
- Measurement of stride rate, stride length, and post-race blood CK concentrations.
Main Results:
- RFS prevalence increased from 79.9% to 89.0% by 90.3 km, then slightly decreased to 83.9% at 161.1 km.
- Stride length decreased significantly with distance, while stride rate showed a significant effect between 90.3 and 161.1 km.
- Top finishers maintained stride parameters and showed greater non-RFS use at 161.1 km; non-RFS runners had higher post-race CK levels.
Conclusions:
- Increased RFS prevalence during ultramarathons may be a fatigue-driven adaptation.
- Non-RFS patterns might impose greater muscular demands, as suggested by higher CK levels.
- Faster ultramarathon runners utilize non-RFS patterns more at the end of the race, possibly indicating better fatigue resistance.
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