Introduction to Sports Biomechanics: Analysing Human Movement ...

INTRODUCTION TO SPORTS BIOMECHANICS
Figure 1.13 Young female running at her preferred speed in trainers. Top left: left foot toe-off (0 s); top right: right foot
touchdown (0.18 s); middle left: right foot mid-stance; middle right: right foot toe-off (0.42 s); bottom left: left
foot touchdown (0.58 s); bottom right: left foot mid-stance.
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pages 9–15), running can basically be divided into a support phase, when one foot is on
the ground, and a recovery phase, in which both feet are off the ground. The runner can
only apply force to the ground for propulsion during the support phase, which defines
that phase’s main biomechanical function and provides the key events that indicate the