Tyler S.

The article discusses the effects of applying carbon fiber plates into running shoes and how that affects the runner. While this increase in midsole stiffness has enabled runners to set numerous world records, the muscular benefits have not been fully explored. The researchers have found that the stiffness provides greater energy return from the Achilles tendon and decreased the muscle fascicle shortening in the ankle. However, there were no significant changes found in the energy cost of running while using the carbon fiber plates. There was still a change in the fascicle velocity which altered muscle function and running performance.

This analysis will be extremely helpful in my research as the technology in midsole bending stiffness has become controversial. The Nike Vaporfly shoes worn in the fastest marathon have been banned from competition due to their special utilization of this technology. The article provides important insight into the benefits of midsole stiffness and how this has improved running performance over time. However, this poses the question of whether or not there should be a limit for performance. As the efficiency of running shoes continues to increase, runners with access to expensive running shoes will gain a clear advantage. Unfortunately, this would be difficult to solve, as it is not energy return that changes, but muscular function and performance.

Cigoja, Sasa, et al. “Increasing the Midsole Bending Stiffness of Shoes Alters Gastrocnemius Medialis Muscle Function during Running.” Scientific Reports, vol. 11, no. 1, Jan. 2021, pp. 1–11. EBSCOhost, https://doi-org.eznvcc.vccs.edu/10.1038/s41598-020-80791-3.

https://www-nature-com.eznvcc.vccs.edu/articles/s41598-020-80791-3

To what extent has new technology affected world records in running? What methods and materials have companies used to improve running performance? What level of energy return or spring in a shoe is considered an unfair advantage? Should we set strict standards to ensure fair completely fair competition? What specific criteria have led to certain running shoes being banned from competition?

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9/1 – The object I got is a watermelon radish, which is green and brown on the outside, but bright pink on the inside. You would never know what it was like without first cutting it open. Feels similar to saying you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. I have looked at all sides of the vegetable, it is round, rough, and slightly squishy. I don’t know how old or ripe it is, but it does seem to have bits of roots still hanging from the bottom, maybe not realizing it has been pulled out of the ground. I’m not sure where I will be keeping it, whether it should sit on my desk or stay safe in the fridge.

9/3 – …

9/4 – Today is the day I will cut open the radish. I hope it had a good stay in my fridge. I took a knife and started cutting, and I could tell it had a very crisp texture. I was surprised about the rich purple color on the inside, it wasn’t quite what I was expecting. I was staring at the colorful vegetable, and it almost looked like an exotic fruit. However, it had an earthy, strong smell that reminded me of any other radish. I decided to take out a spoon, scoop out a little piece of the radish, and eat it. Again, I was almost fooled by the vibrant color, but it still had that distinct crispness and strong flavor of your common radish. That’s the end of the radish, I’m not sure what’ll happen to it next, but it sure is an interesting vegetable.