BIOMECHANICAL AND METABOLIC EFFECTS OF A LEAF SPRING STRUCTURED MIDSOLE IN OVERGROUND RUNNING

Abstract

A leaf spring structured midsole shoe (LEAF) increases stride length and reduces stride rate by a horizontal foot shift during stance phase in heel-toe running and leads to an enhanced economy in treadmill running. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether these effects can also be seen in overground running. Ten male runners ran with a LEAF and a standard foam midsole shoe (FOAM) at 2 mmol/l blood lactate. Stride rate and stride length were measured by an inertial measurement unit combined with a 2D video. Running economy was quantified via spirometry. The LEAF revealed a reduction in stride rate (-0.01±0.00Hz; p<0.03) and an increase in stride length (9±4mm; p<0.04). VO2 tend to be reduced (-0.38±0.19; p<0.08). This study demonstrates that the effects of a LEAF observed on treadmill are similar in overground running.