Race walking gait and its influence on race walking economy in world-class race walkers

ABSTRACTAim: The aim of this study was to determine the relationships between biomechanical parameters of the gait cycle and race walking economy in world-class Olympic race walkers.Methods: Twenty-One world-class race walkers possessing the Olympic qualifying standard participated in this study. Participants completed an incremental race walking test starting at 10 km·h−1, where race walking economy (ml·kg−1·km−1) and spatiotemporal gait variables were analysed at different speeds.Results: 20-km race walking performance was related to race walking economy, being the fastest race walkers those displaying reduced oxygen cost at a given speed (R = 0.760, p < 0.001). Longer ground contact times, shorter flight times, longer midstance sub-phase and shorter propulsive sub-phase during stance were related to a better race walking economy (moderate effect, p < 0.05).Conclusion: According to the results of this study, the fastest race walkers were more economi cal than the lesser performers. Similarly, shorter fl...