University Biomechanics 5103SPOSCI Motion Analysis Coursework Report

This coursework report presents a motion analysis of running techniques, focusing on the kinematics of forefoot and rearfoot strike patterns. The analysis includes graphs of joint angles and angular velocities over the time percentage of strike. The results reveal differences in range of motion and peak velocities between the heel and forefoot during running. The interpretation section discusses how running style influences angular velocity and range of motion, citing relevant research. The study concludes that the runner exhibits a rearfoot strike pattern. The report also considers the impact of muscle activation timing and the potential for adjusting foot strike styles to manage mechanical loading, referencing existing literature.

Motion Analysis Coursework Student Number:
Results
In the following section the angular range of motion as well as the angular velocity of forefoot and heel
have presented with the time percentage of strike. The graph has been developed by selecting an data
area of interest as sampling.
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 100
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
Shod Forefoot Running Shod Heel Running
time (% of strike)
Angle
Figure 1: Joint angle with time percentage of strike graph for forefoot and heel
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 100
-1000
-800
-600
-400
-200
0
200
400
600
800
Shod Forefoot Running Shod Heel Running
time (% of strike)
Angular Velocity
Figure 2: Joint angular velocity and time percentage of strike graph forefoot and heel

From figure 1 it can be found that angular Range of Motion (ROM) is higher in heel and lower in
forefoot. The maximum range of motion of heel is more than 300 and lower range of angle is around
250. On the other hand, the maximum range of motion of forefoot is 150 and lower range is around 125.
Similar phenomenon of kinematics can be also found in the figure 2 where the angular velocities of heel
and forefoot are compared. While running the peak angular velocity of heel is ranged from -800 to +600.
However, the peak angular velocity of forefoot is ranged from -450 to +300. Hence, the range of motion
and angular velocity is higher is heel and lower in forefoot while running.
Interpretation
According to Ahn et al. (2014), the angular velocity and the range of motion of forefoot and heel
depends on the running style. There are two types of runners namely forefoot strike runners and back
foot strike runner. Usually the forefoot runners land with more plantar flexed ankles with more vertical
lower legs at the beginning of stance compared to rare foot strike runners. As per the result of this study
the running style shows more angular velocity and range of motion. Therefore, in this study the runner
is a rare foot strike runner. Therefore, in this case the runner activated his plantarflexor muscles with
some delay and the activation time is lower less, resulting a narrow range angular velocity of forefoot.
According to Lai et al. (2016), runners of a particular running habit can convert their foot strike style to
adjust the mechanical loading. In this case, before landing the post-activation of the gastrocnemii
muscles significantly reduces the immediate storage capacity of the elastic tissues in the shank by
stretching the Achilles tendon.

References
Ahn, A.N., Brayton, C., Bhatia, T. and Martin, P., 2014. Muscle activity and kinematics of forefoot and
rearfoot strike runners. Journal of Sport and Health Science, 3(2), pp.102-112.
Lai, A., Schache, A.G., Brown, N.A. and Pandy, M.G., 2016. Human ankle plantar flexor muscle–tendon
mechanics and energetics during maximum acceleration sprinting. Journal of The Royal Society
Interface, 13(121), p.20160391.