Ground-Reaction Forces during Form Skipping and Running

Abstract

Context:Form skipping has been used to help injured athletes progress to running. Because little research has been done on form-skipping mechanics, its justification as a progression to running exercises is unclear.Objective:To compare ground-reaction forces (GRF) during form skipping and running in healthy subjects at clinically relevant speeds, 1.75 m/s and 3.83 m/s, respectively.Design:Dependentttests (α= .05).Setting:Sports-injury research center.Participants:9 male college athletes (age 20 ± 1.33 years, mass 848.4 ± 43.24 N, height 1.80 ± 0.07 m).Main Outcome Measures:Average (Fzavg) and maximum (Fzmax) vertical GRF and (Fy) braking impulse were compared.Results:FzavgandFzmaxwere greater during running than during form skipping (P< .05). Braking impulses were not different (P> .05).Conclusions:It appears thatFz, but not theFy, GRF might explain why form skipping might be an appropriate progression to running.