The Vertical Component of the Ground Reaction Force and Running Economy (Clinical Report‪)‬

ABSTRACT The present study was designed to investigate the relationship between the peak values of the vertical component of the ground reaction force measured in body weight equivalents ([GRF.sub.vert]) and running economy (RE, V[O.sub.2submax]) during treadmill running. Thirty-five recreational runners of varying training background ran on a treadmill at 2.68 m/second (6 mi/hr) for 8 minutes. RE (ml x [kg.sup.-1] x [min.sup.-1]) and [GRF.sub.vert] were measured during the last 2 minutes of running. No significant relationship was found between RE and [GRF.sub.vert], although a significant relationship was found between stride frequency (SF) (steps/minute) and RE (r = -.327; P 0.05). Greater SF was indicative of better RE in treadmill running at 2.68 m/second.