Running shoe contest has now shifted to the size of the midsole Research findings show rigid carbon fiber plates in shoe midsoles and insoles enhance performance. The first controversial road running shoes that was adopted by elite marathoners was the Nike’s Vaporfly 4% in 2017. Published research findings indicate that when rigid carbon fiber plates are inserted into shoe midsoles and insoles, they enhance performance by optimizing shoe bending stiffness and increase the vertical jump height of the athlete. Given the complexity of shoe design and the resulting tension between encouraging technological development and retaining the ‘spirit of the universality of athletics’, there is need to regulate running shoe designs by coming up with standards. While running and technoscience have a symbiotic relationship, in moderating the influence of technoscience on sports, sports cannot be seen to be technophobic.

Source: Standard Digital July 20, 2020 21:33 UTC