Footstrike patterns and race performance in the 2017 IAAF World Championship men’s 10,000 m final

Midfoot- (MFS) and forefoot-striking (FFS) runners usually switch to rearfoot-striking (RFS) during marathons. However, world-class runners might resist modifications during shorter races. The purpose of this study was to analyse footstrike patterns, ground contact times and running speeds in a World Championship men’s 10,000 m final. Footstrike patterns and contact times of the top 12 finishing men (24 ± 5 years) were recorded (150 Hz) during laps 1, 5, 11, 15, 20 and 25. Split times for each 100-m segment were obtained. No RFS patterns were observed; there was no difference between the number of FFS and MFS athletes at any distance (p ≥ 0.581) and no change in the proportions of FFS and MFS occurred (p = 0.383). No link between race performance and footstrike pattern appeared given the similar number who used FFS or MFS and their similar finishing times. Despite slower running speeds and longer contact times in the middle of the race (p ≤ 0.024), no effect on footstrike patterns occurred. The prevalence of anterior footstrike patterns in this world-class race reflects the capability of maintaining fast paces (>22 km/h). Changes in footstrike pattern might accompany the physiological and neuromuscular effects of fatigue over longer distances.