Concerning braking - It isn't really affected much by heel vs. forefoot landing. It is a function of where the foot lands with respect to Center of Gravity. Actually landing on the forefoot places the foot farther ahead of center of gravity than heel landing, by about 8 in.
Not really, heel-striking tends to result when overstriding and the foot lands too far infront of the CG. Watch coverage of the WC, see how few of the elites heel-strike. The most efficient running occurs when the forefoot hits the ground as it is being pulled back under the body.
kritter wrote:
Concerning braking - It isn't really affected much by heel vs. forefoot landing. It is a function of where the foot lands with respect to Center of Gravity. Actually landing on the forefoot places the foot farther ahead of center of gravity than heel landing, by about 8 in.