Ground contact time (GCT) is a feature that indicates the amount of time that your foot is in contact with the ground on each step, measured in milliseconds (ms) when recording a running activity. Ground contact time tends to be especially short for elite runners. Virtually all experienced runners have ground contact times under 300 ms, likely because they have learned to “pick up” their feet quickly and not to over-stride as they are landing. Over-striding describes a running style where the foot lands too far in front of the body leading to braking forces at impact and, typically, longer ground contact times.

Ground contact time example

Ground contact time is one of six running dynamics metrics available when using an HRM-Pro, HRM-Run, HRM-Tri, or Running Dynamics Pod with a compatible Garmin watch. For more information on all six running dynamics metrics and a list of compatible watches, see: Garmin Watches That Support Running Dynamics.

To learn more about ground contact time, as well as other advanced running dynamics Garmin has to offer, view the following video: