A Detailed Analysis of Elite Race Walking Technique

Looking at the Best, A detailed analysis of elite race walking technique takes the discussion of race walking locomotion further than ever before. By combining high resolution – high speed photography with computer software and detailed measurements, we paint an image of exactly how the best race walkers in the world stride forward at speeds approaching 10 mph (16 kph). Instead of theorizing the body motions comprising ideal race walking technique, we analyze the race walkers from elite race walk competitions featuring the very best race walkers in the world.

Under race conditions (primarily at the 12th World Championships in Berlin), we see the good, bad and ugly with regard to technique. By using real race photographs we take the discussion out of the proverbial laboratory and examine how race walkers do what we want to do, race fast.

The definition of race walking requires that race walkers show no “visible to the human eye” loss of contact with the ground. After reviewing over 100,000 photos of elite race walkers, no walkers at top speed maintain contact. One controversy that is sure to develop as a result of our analysis is the obvious flight phase shown when high speed photography is utilized. Pushing themselves to world class speed requires that there is a “visible to the camera eye” flight phase. How long should this be is subjective, but by comparing sequences of photographs to judge’s tally sheets we begin to get a picture of what “visible to the human eye” really means.

via Racewalk.com – Looking at the Best – A Detailed Analysis of Elite Race Walking Technique.