Abstract
In recent years' research, the scientific and clinical communities have shown increased interest in the differences between foot strike patterns due to their biomechanical implications and the associated injury risks. This review aims to investigate the biomechanical differences between habitual forefoot and rearfoot strike running. A literature search across three databases identifies 671 articles using Boolean operators, with specific eligibility criteria applied to refine the results. After a detailed screening, 11 articles meet the inclusion criteria for this review. Compared with rearfoot strike (RFS) runners, the findings reveal that forefoot strike (FFS) runners land with a plantar-flexed ankle and greater hip and knee flexion, enhancing cushioning and reducing knee joint forces, which may lower the risk of knee injuries such as patellofemoral pain syndrome. This FFS improves running efficiency by increasing leg stiffness and generating ankle plantarflexion moments that facilitate elastic rebound. However, the greater reliance on the ankle and calf muscles in FFS running elevates the risk of achilles tendon injuries and plantar fasciitis. In contrast to FFS runners, RFS runners land with a dorsiflexed ankle, resulting in higher impact peaks and loading rates that transfer mechanical load to the knee, increasing the risk of knee injuries. The differences in ground reaction forces and muscle activation patterns between FFS and RFS running highlight the significant influence of foot strike mechanics on both running performance and injury risk. These insights provide valuable information, enhancing the understanding of human movement for the prevention of sports injury, supporting injury management and training optimization, such as retraining runners with patellofemoral pain toward the FFS or refining techniques to enhance performance.
Published Version
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