Does advanced footwear technology improve track and road racing performance? An explorative analysis based on the 100 best yearly performances in the world between 2010 and 2022
The effects of super-footwear on world-class track and road racing performances.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51224/SRXIV.297Keywords:
Advanced Footwear Technology, Running performance, Spikes, Footwear, Sports performance, LocomotionAbstract
High-tech running shoes and spikes ("super-footwear") are currently being debated in sports. There is direct evidence that distance running super shoes improve running economy; however, it is not well established to which extent world-class performances are affected over the range of track and road running events.
This study examined publicly available performance datasets of annual best track and road performances for evidence of potential systematic performance effects following the introduction of super footwear. The analysis was based on the 100 best performances per year for men and women in outdoor events from 2010 to 2022, provided by the world governing body of athletics (World Athletics).
We found evidence of progressing improvements in track and road running performances after the introduction of super distance running shoes in 2016 and super spike technology in 2019. This evidence is more pronounced for distances longer than 1500 m in women and longer than 5000 m in men. Women seem to benefit more from super footwear in distance running events than men.
While the observational study design limits causal inference, this study provides a database on potential systematic performance effects following the introduction of super shoes/spikes in track and road running events in world-class athletes. Further research is needed to examine the underlying mechanisms and, in particular, potential sex differences in the performance effects of super footwear.
Metrics
References
Muniz-Pardos B, Sutehall S, Angeloudis K, Guppy FM, Bosch A, Pitsiladis Y. Recent improvements in marathon run times are likely technological, not physiological. Sports Med [Internet]. 2020; Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-020-01420-7
Hébert-Losier K, Pamment M. Advancements in running shoe technology and their effects on running economy and performance – a current concepts overview. Sports Biomechanics. Routledge; 2023;22:335–50.
Ortega JA, Healey LA, Swinnen W, Hoogkamer W. Energetics and Biomechanics of Running Footwear with Increased Longitudinal Bending Stiffness: A Narrative Review. Sports Med. 2021;51:873–94.
Healey L, Bertschy M, Kipp S, Hoogkamer W. Can We Quantify the Benefits of "Super Spikes" in Track Running? Sports Med. 2022;52:1211–8.
Hoogkamer W, Kipp S, Spiering BA, Kram R. Altered running economy directly translates to altered distance-running performance. Med Sci Sports Exerc [Internet]. 2016;48. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0000000000001012
Kipp S, Kram R, Hoogkamer W. Extrapolating Metabolic Savings in Running: Implications for Performance Predictions. Frontiers in Physiology [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2023 Apr 2];10. Available from: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2019.00079
Hébert-Losier K, Finlayson SJ, Driller MW, Dubois B, Esculier JF, Beaven CM. Metabolic and performance responses of male runners wearing 3 types of footwear: Nike Vaporfly 4%, Saucony Endorphin racing flats, and their own shoes. J Sport Heal Sci [Internet]. 2020; Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jshs.2020.11.012
Hoogkamer W, Kipp S, Kram R. The biomechanics of competitive male runners in three marathon racing shoes: a randomized crossover study. Sport Med [Internet]. 2019; Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-018-1024-z
Barnes KR, Kilding AE. A randomized crossover study investigating the running economy of highly-trained male and female distance runners in marathon racing shoes versus track spikes. Sport Med [Internet]. 2019; Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-018-1012-3
Joubert DP, Dominy TA, Burns GT. Effects of Highly Cushioned and Resilient Racing Shoes on Running Economy at Slower Running Speeds. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2023;18:164–70.
Knopp M, Muñiz-Pardos B, Wackerhage H, Schönfelder M, Guppy F, Pitsiladis Y, et al. Variability in Running Economy of Kenyan World-Class and European Amateur Male Runners with Advanced Footwear Running Technology: Experimental and Meta-analysis Results. Sports Med [Internet]. 2023 [cited 2023 Apr 2]; Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-023-01816-1
Quealy K, Katz J. Nike Says Its $250 Running Shoes Will Make You Run Much Faster. What if That's Actually True? The New York Times [Internet]. 2018 Jul 18 [cited 2023 Apr 2]; Available from: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/07/18/upshot/nike-vaporfly-shoe-strava.html, https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/07/18/upshot/nike-vaporfly-shoe-strava.html
Duffield R, Dawson B, Goodman C. Energy system contribution to 400-metre and 800-metre track running. J Sports Sci. 2005;23:299–307.
Spencer MR, Gastin PB. Energy system contribution during 200- to 1500-m running in highly trained athletes. Med Sci Sports Exerc [Internet]. 2001; Available from: https://doi.org/10.1097/00005768-200101000-00024
Mero A, Komi PV, Gregor RJ. Biomechanics of sprint running. A review. Sports Med. 1992;13:376–92.
Bellinger P, Derave W, Lievens E, Kennedy B, Arnold B, Rice H, et al. Determinants of last lap speed in paced and maximal 1500-m time trials. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2021;121:525–37.
Armstrong RA. When to use the Bonferroni correction. Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics. 2014;34:502–8.
Besson T, Macchi R, Rossi J, Morio CYM, Kunimasa Y, Nicol C, et al. Sex Differences in Endurance Running. Sports Med. 2022;52:1235–57.
Weyand PG, Sternlight DB, Bellizzi MJ, Wright S. Faster top running speeds are achieved with greater ground forces not more rapid leg movements. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2000;89:1991–9.
Rabita G, Dorel S, Slawinski J, Sàez-de-Villarreal E, Couturier A, Samozino P. Sprint mechanics in world-class athletes: A new insight into the limits of human locomotion. Scand J Med Sci Sport [Internet]. 2015; Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.12389
Negro F, Di Trana A, Marinelli S. The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the use of the performance-enhancing drugs. Acta Bio Medica: Atenei Parmensis. Mattioli 1885; 2022;92.
Lima G, Muniz-Pardos B, Kolliari-Turner A, Hamilton B, Guppy FM, Grivas G, et al. Anti-doping and other sport integrity challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2021;61:1173–83.
Pitsiladis Y, Muniz-Pardos B, Miller M, Verroken M. Sport Integrity Opportunities in the Time of Coronavirus. Sports Med. 2020;50:1701–2.
Downloads
Posted
License
Copyright (c) 2023 Steffen Willwacher, Patrick Mai, Janina Helwig, Markus Hipper, Burkay Utku, Johanna Robbin (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
