Author(s): RODRIGO CARRANZA, V., MUÑOZ DE LA CRUZ, V., GONZÁLEZ-MOHÍNO, F., RODRÍGUEZ-BARBERO, S., GONZÁLEZ-RAVÉ, J.M., HOOGKAMER, W., Institution: CASTILLA-LA MANCHA UNIVERSITY, Country: SPAIN, Abstract-ID: 634

INTRODUCTION:
Research into the benefits of different advance footwear technologies (AFT) spikes on middle/long distance track performance is lacking. This study aimed to examine the influence of different spikes technologies on running economy (RE) and middle-distance performance measures in trained runners.
METHODS:
Sixteen male trained runners completed four different visits on a 400 m outdoor track, running in three different spikes conditions. We compared a traditional EVA midsole spike (Control) with a modern midsole foam (PEBA) spike and a spike with a PEBA midsole and a carbon-fiber plate (PEBA+Plate). During the first three visits, participants performed 6x200 m at self-perceived 800 m race pace wearing each condition twice in a mirrored order (a-b-c-c-b-a) separated by 8 min rest between trials. Subsequently, they performed a 3,000 m time trial using one of the three shoe condition, in each visit. During visit 4, participants completed 6x4 min efforts at 18 km/h in each condition to assess RE (W/kg).
RESULTS:
The main effect for spike condition was significant for the runs at self-perceived 800 m pace (p<0.001; η2 =0.438), the 3,000 m time trial (p=0.013; η2 =0.342) and RE (p<0.001; η2 =0.694). At 800 m race pace, PEBA+Plate (6.63±0.36 m/s; p<0.001) resulted in 2.8% faster 200 m runs compared to Control (6.45±0.36 m/s), while PEBA (6.53±0.45 m/s) and Control were similar. The 3,000 m speed improved in the PEBA (5.79±0.23 m/s; p=0.034; 1.0%) and PEBA+Plate conditions (5.87±0.37 m/s; p=0.032; 2.4%) compared to Control (5.73±0.29 m/s). RE improved significantly in the PEBA (20.25±1.79 W/kg; p<0.001; 5.1%) and PEBA+Plate conditions (20.47±1.43 W/kg; p<0.001; 4.0%) compared to Control (21.30±1.59 W/kg), without significant differences between the PEBA and PEBA+Plate conditions.
CONCLUSION:
Our results suggest that AFT spikes with modern foams enhance running performance across middle- and long-distance events. However, at mid-distance speeds the PEBA+Plate technology performed better than Control, while modern foam alone (PEBA) did not significantly improve performance. This may be because when running at higher speeds, the optimal longitudinal bending stiffness of the shoe might be higher (1). However, for running at 18 km/h, RE improved similarly in both AFT spikes (PEBA and PEBA+Plate) compared to traditional EVA spikes. At sub-maximal speeds, differences may be mainly due to differences in midsole foam rather than in longitudinal bending stiffness (2).

References
1. Rodrigo-Carranza, V., et al., (2022). European Journal of Sport Science, 22(10), 1508-1521. https://doi.org/10.1080/17461391.2021.1955014
2. Rodrigo‐Carranza, V., et al., (2023). Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.14526