Ally Schmitz, “Comparison of Running Economy Parameters Across Shoe Type in Competitive and Recreational Runners”
Mentor: Scott Strath, Kinesiology, Public Health (Joseph J. Zilber School of)
Poster #85
Compared to conventional running shoes, carbon-plated shoes have been shown to reduce the metabolic energy cost of running in elite distance runners by as much as 4%. The energy cost reduction in carbon-plated shoes in recreational runners, who are the majority of shoe buyers, has yet to be examined. Purpose: To determine if the metabolic cost and energy expenditure reduction from carbon plated running shoes versus conventional running shoes will be the same for competitive runners compared with recreational runners. Participants will complete 3 laboratory visits. During visit 1, participants will complete a treadmill maximal oxygen uptake test (VO2 max). During visits 2 and 3, participants will complete a sub-maximal test, running at 60%, 70% and 80% of their V02 max for 5-minute intervals at each speed. Visits 2 and 3 are identical except for across visits subjects will be randomized to wear either the Brooks Ghost (conventional shoe), or the Saucony Endorphin Elite (carbon-plated shoe). Mean energy cost (ml/kg/min) from each running speed, using steady state values in minutes 4 and 5, will be compared across shoe condition using repeated measures ANOVA, with significance set at alpha <0.05. Preliminary results of one competitive runner shows a reduction in energy cost of ~5% in the carbon-plated running shoe compared with the conventional running shoe. Preliminary results in the competitive runner agree with current research, more participants are actively being recruited to test whether this relationship holds true for recreational runners.