A running technique where the runner initially contacts the ground with the ball of the foot or toes, with the heel touching down afterward. This pattern is common among sprinters and some distance runners, particularly when running at faster speeds.
Compound of 'forefoot' (front part of the foot) and 'strike' (ground contact moment). The terminology developed in biomechanics research in the 1980s-90s as researchers categorized different foot strike patterns using high-speed video analysis.
Forefoot striking is the natural pattern for sprinting - try running as fast as you can and you'll automatically land on your forefoot because it allows for maximum power transfer and quick ground contact times. However, it places much higher demands on the calf muscles and Achilles tendon, which is why distance runners who switch to forefoot striking often develop calf injuries if they transition too quickly!
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