Economical running biomechanics in female runners

Studies have identified that energetic costs of endurance running are similar between the sexes, but less is currently known about economical running biomechanics in female runners than male runners. Evidence shows that female runners have the ability to fine-tune their running mechanics to reduce metabolic demand. However, they also exhibit greater lower limb transverse and frontal plane motion, which is often argued to be unnecessary rotational energy expenditure. Nevertheless, conceptually, this may in fact represent an optimised gait, possibly to some extent governed by anthropometric and musculoskeletal constraints. It is important that greater insight into the female-specific economical running biomechanics are examined.