Effects of footwear designed to boost energy return on running economy compared to traditional running shoes

摘要

Running economy is considered as a principal determining factor of running performance. Athletic footwear has been advocated as a mechanism by which running economy can be enhanced (Frederick, Howley, & Powers, 1986). Some investigations have shown that the midsole characteristics of the running shoe midsole can influence the economy of running. New commercially available footwear have been recently released which utilize a thermoplastic polyure-thane midsole rather than more conventional ethylene vinyl acetate systems. This new midsole material is designed in order to reduce energy loss in comparison to traditional footwear midsoles.