Footstrike patterns in runners: concepts, classifications, techniques, and implicationsfor running-related injuries

Biomechanical running gait analysis in athletes has been reported to be a crucial part of improving running style (9, 13). Clinicians commonly analyze running gait patterns to prevent or treat injuries that are related to a poor alignment or possibly damaging biomechanics (27). Besides the clinical significance of an appropriate running gait analysis, scientists also assess the biomechanics of athletes, mostly runners, to ensure an efficient running technique (41). A common component of analyzing running technique is the determination of footstrike patterns in athletes (9, 11, 22). Typically, the footstrike pattern is defined as a biomechanical analysis of the way the foot touches the ground (35), A common interpretation of this definition uses the distinction of three footstrike patterns (Fig. 1): forefoot strike (FFS), midfoot strike (MFS), rearfoot strike (FRS). Several modifications have been made to this popular classification. For instance, some authors Tim Hoenig Department of Sports and Exercise Medicine Institute of Human Movement Science University of Hamburg Turmweg 2, 20148 Hamburg, Germany : tim.hoenig@stud.uke.uni-hamburg.de SCHLÜSSELWÖRTER: Laufen, Biomechanik, Überlastungsverletzungen