Introduction to Sports Biomechanics: Analysing Human Movement ...

MOVEMENT PATTERNS – THE ESSENCE OF SPORTS BIOMECHANICS
Figure 1.16 Older male running at his preferred speed in normal trainers. Top left: right foot toe-off (0 s); top right: left
foot touchdown (0.12 s); middle left: left foot mid-stance; middle right: left foot toe-off (0.38 s); bottom left: right foot
touchdown (0.50 s); bottom right: right foot mid-stance.
familiar with identifying these movements on video. The hip continues to extend early
in the swing phase, roughly until maximum knee flexion, after which it flexes then
begins to extend just before touchdown; extension continues until toe-off. The knee
is normally slightly flexed at touchdown and this flexion continues, depending on
running speed, to absorb shock, until the hip is roughly over the ankle. Knee extension
then proceeds until toe-off, soon after which the knee flexes as the hip continues to
extend. The knee starts to extend while the hip is flexing and continues to extend
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