Author(s): MUZEAU, M., FLOOD, A., TAM, N., ABEL, B., SAUNDERS, P., STAIANO, W., RATTRAY, B., Institution: UNIVERSITY OF CANBERRA, Country: AUSTRALIA, Abstract-ID: 256

INTRODUCTION:
While trail running has seen the growing use of advanced footwear technologies (AFT), most scientific investigations have evaluated shoes in laboratory settings under non-fatigued conditions. This study compared the effect of two footwear foams on running economy and affective responses before and after a prolonged trail run, as well as their impact on performance.
METHODS:
Fourteen trained male trail runners completed two sessions with shoes allocated in a randomised and counterbalanced order. The two shoes tested differed in their foam proprieties with the AFT foam being softer, more compliant and resilient than the traditional foam. Each session involved a 90-minute trail run performed at a clamped rate of perceived exertion of 14/20. Running economy, affective valence and arousal were assessed pre- and post-prolonged run. Performance was assessed as the distance completed during the task.
RESULTS:
No differences in running economy or affective responses were observed between the two footwear conditions before and after the prolonged trail run. No difference independent of timing were identified for affective valence and running economy, although a tendency for higher pleasure was reported with the AFT foam (p=0.088). Similarly, no differences in distance covered were found between shoes conditions. However, exploratory analysis showed an interaction effect between speed and footwear across time, with better speed preservation from the first to the last loop with the AFT foam.
Additionally, the prolonged trail run induced significant physiological (increased VO₂, HR, RER) and affective (lower valence, increased arousal) changes, reflecting fatigue-induced shifts in metabolic and affective states.
CONCLUSION:
Our finding suggests that affective state may be an important consideration when planning pacing or preparing for the psychological demands of long-distance events.
Separately, although evidence for the physiological or performance benefits of AFT foam in trail running remains limited, the observed trend toward a more positive affective valence suggests that such footwear may enhance the subjective running experience. This highlights the potential value of considering affective responses when selecting footwear for prolonged trail run but also the importance of such metrics when developing trail running footwear.