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
3 thoughts on “Tech Blog Post #2”
This topic is very intresting. I never thought that carbon fiber could be utilized in running shoes. Your article and evidance to back it up was very easy to understand. You didn’t make it super wordy and were right to the point. Kinda odd how carbon fiber can have a negative effect on a runners muscle function considering it’s lighter and stronger.
Ryan
I found it interesting how researchers were able to integrate carbon fiber into running shoes to artificially change how fast people run. Your writing style was very clear and had a nice flow that allowed me to follow the information and understand the argument at hand.
Zac
This is an interesting topic, as I’ve seen cars built with carbon fiber to help reduce the weight, but I never thought that carbon fiber could be used to produce running shoes that can improve muscle function. Can the use of carbon fiber in running shoes help one become more efficient because they are saving themselves some weight by using lighter shoes?
Yacine