Comparison of ground reaction forces as running speed increases between male and female runners

Introduction: The biomechanics associated with human running are affected by gender and speed. Knowledge regarding ground reaction force (GRF) at various running speeds is pivotal for the prevention of injuries related to running. This study aimed to investigate the gait pattern differences between males and females while running at different speeds, and to verify the relationship between GRFs and running speed among both males and females. Methods: GRF data were collected from forty-eight participants (thirty male runners and eighteen female runners) while running on an overground runway at seven discrete speeds: 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 km/h. Results: The ANOVA results showed that running speed had a significant effect (p < 0.05) on GRFs, propulsive and vertical forces increased with increasing speed. An independent t-test also showed significant differences (p < 0.05) in vertical and anterior-posterior GRFs at all running speeds, specifically, female runners demonstrated higher propulsive and vertical forces than males during the late stance phase of running. Pearson correlation and stepwise multiple linear regression showed significant correlations between running speed and the GRF variables. Discussion: These findings suggest that female runners require more effort to keep the same speed as male runners. This study may provide valuable insights into the underlying biomechanical factors of the movement patterns at GRFs during running.