IS RACE WALKING LOWER IMPACT THAN RUNNING?

Race walking has grown over the past decade because it provides exercise without the high impact loads of running. However, whether race walking is truly a lower impact sport remains to be tested. Fifteen competitive race walkers ran and race walked over a force plate. The loading rate of the vertical ground reaction force was 46% lower for race walking in comparison to running. This suggests race walking is a lower impact exercise safer for the joints. This may be advantageous for people who would like to exercise at a higher intensity that walking provides but have joint problems, e.g. those with osteoarthritis.