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Foot Strike Patterns During Overground Distance Running: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Stephen P Bovalino1, Michael I C Kingsley2,3
1Holsworth Research Initiative, La Trobe Rural Health School, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
Sports Medicine - Open
|November 10, 2021
Summary
Most long-distance runners use a rearfoot strike pattern, which becomes more common as distance increases. Evidence for a performance advantage with non-rearfoot strike patterns in running is inconclusive.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics of running
- Exercise physiology
Background:
- Foot strike patterns in distance running are crucial for performance and injury prevention.
- Limited synthesized analyses exist on foot strike pattern prevalence and its evolution with running distance.
Approach:
- Systematic review and meta-analysis of 12 peer-reviewed studies (inception-2021).
- Searched CINAHL, Medline, EMBASE, and SPORTDiscus for studies on overground distance running (>10 km).
- Analyzed prevalence data and the relationship between foot strike pattern and running performance.
Key Points:
- 79% of long-distance runners exhibit a rearfoot strike pattern initially, increasing to 86% with greater distances.
- 11% of runners alter their foot strike pattern as distance increases, predominantly transitioning from non-rearfoot to rearfoot strike.
- While 5 studies suggest a performance benefit for non-rearfoot strike, 4 found no difference, and no studies favored rearfoot strike for performance.
Conclusions:
- The prevalence of rearfoot strike patterns in overground distance runners increases with running distance.
- The majority of runners who change strike patterns do so by transitioning to a rearfoot strike.
- Current evidence is inconclusive regarding a competitive advantage for non-rearfoot strike patterns over rearfoot strike patterns in long-distance running.
