In biomechanics, the "weight" borne by the feet is known as Ground Reaction Force (GRF). When you move, the impact force on your feet increases exponentially with exercise intensity.
The following table shows the relationship between foot impact force and body weight under different movement states:
1. Comparison Table of Pressure Under Different Motion States
| Movement State | Foot Impact (Multiple of BW) | Impact Characteristics |
| Static Standing | 1x | Pressure is evenly split; each foot bears 0.5x body weight. |
| Walking | 1.2 - 1.5x | Typical "double-peak" curve: heel-strike and toe-off phases. |
| Jogging | 2 - 3x | Significant shockwaves; arches and ankle muscles absorb massive energy. |
| Sprinting | 3 - 5x | Minimal contact time; extreme peak pressure primarily on the mid-forefoot. |
| Descending Stairs | 3 - 4x | Due to gravity acceleration, impact on a single foot/knee is much higher than walking. |
| Jump Landing | 5 - 12x | Extreme load; depends on jump height and knee flexion for buffering. |
2. Why does "weight" increase during exercise?
This can be explained by the Impulse-Momentum Theorem in physics:
Where F is the impact force, m is your mass, and Δv is the change in velocity.
- Higher Velocity: The force F required to stop or redirect the body increases significantly.
- Shorter Contact Time (Δt): Forces are concentrated into a burst, causing a spike in instantaneous impact.
3. The "Leverage Effect" of Body Weight
A key biomechanical insight: The impact of body weight on the feet is amplified.
- Weight Loss Effect: For every 1 kg lost, the pressure on your ankles is reduced by ~3 kg per step when walking, and over 5 kg when running.
- Injury Risk: Excessive weight causes chronic over-stretching of the plantar fascia and Achilles tendon, leading to plantar fasciitis and collapsed arches.
4. The Body's "Shock Absorption System"
To combat these multiplied impacts, the body has evolved multi-level buffering:
- Foot Arch (Spring): Compresses and recoils like a leaf spring.
- Heel Fat Pad (Hydraulic Damper): Acts like a hydraulic shock absorber for the initial strike.
- Muscles (Active Absorption): Calf and thigh muscles use eccentric contraction to dissipate energy.