Influence of advanced footwear technology spikes on middle- and long-distance running performance measures in trained runners

Abstract

PurposeThe aim of this study was to examine the influence of different spikes technologies on running economy and middle- and long-distance performance in trained runners.MethodsFourteen trained female and sixteen trained male runners participated in this study. Females performed a single visit with six 200 m trials at self-perceived 800 m race pace in three different spike conditions (Control, PEBA and PEBA+Plate) twice in a mirrored order, and three 800 m trials at 4.44 m/s in each spike condition. Males completed four visits. During the first three visits they performed six 200 m trials at self-perceived 800 m race pace in each spike condition. Subsequently, they performed a 3,000 m time trial in one of the three spike conditions. During visit four, participants completed six 4-minute running economy trials at 5 m/s, twice in each condition.ResultsThe main effect for spike condition was significant for speed at 800 m pace (p<0.001) in females and males, for speed during the 3,000 m time trial (p=0.013) in males and for running economy at 5 m/s, (p<0.001) in males.ConclusionAt 800 m race pace females ran faster in PEBA (2.1%) and PEBA+Plate (2.0%) compared to Control. Males ran faster in PEBA (1.2%) and PEBA+Plate (2.8%) compared to Control and in PEBA+Plate than in PEBA (1.5%). Similarly, males ran the 3,000 m time trial faster in PEBA (1.0%) and PEBA+Plate (2.4%) than in Control. Running economy at 5 m/s was better in PEBA (5.1%) and PEBA+Plate (4.0%) than in Control.Key pointsAdvanced Spikes Technology (PEBA and PEBA+Plate) improved middle and long-distance running performance measures compared to traditional spikes.PEBA (2.1%; 1.2%) and PEBA+Plate (2.0%; 2.7%) spikes improved average self-perceived 800 m race pace speed in females and males, respectively, compared to control spikes.In the 3,000 m time trials, males improved their speed by 1.0% when they used the PEBA spikes while they improved by 2.4% when they used the PEBA+Plate spikes.At 5 m/s running economy improved by 5.1% and 4.0% when using the PEBA and PEBA+Plate spikes compared to the control spikes.