Introduction When it comes to improving running speed, jump power, and agility, most athletes think of glutes, hamstrings, and calves. But the secret weapon for propulsion and stability might lie farther down the chain—your forefoot. A recent study by Tourillon et al. (2025) has placed a spotlight on the metatarsophalangeal joints (MTP joints) and forefoot flexor muscles as key contributors to explosive performance, suggesting that targeted forefoot training can significantly enhance...

Why Fatigue Matters in Running Biomechanics Fatigue is not merely a drop in power output, it fundamentally changes how the lower limb interacts with the ground. For runners, this means altered ground reaction forces (GRFs), delayed timing to peak forces, and modified muscle activation patterns. Clinically, these changes have been linked to common sports injuries such as plantar fasciitis, medial tibial stress syndrome, Achilles tendinopathy, and patellofemoral pain. For podiatrists and sports...

Introduction Recent research by Castro-Méndez et al. (2025) peaked our interest; forensic gait analysis has long hovered in that grey zone between fascinating potential and methodological controversy. The systematic review by Castro-Méndez and colleagues (2025) steps directly into this debate, examining whether angular measurements or observational gait characteristics provide the most reliable method for identifying individuals on CCTV footage. Their work pulls together 25 years of...