From Olympic tracks to parkruns: scientists find out how 'super shoes' affect runners' speed and health

Today, they have also become popular among amateurs - from marathons to Saturday parkruns. These running shoes promise to improve performance by several per cent, but scientists warn that along with records, the risk of injury may increase. The Conversation reports.

What are "super shoes"?

The emergence of a new era of running equipment is attributed to the 2016 Olympics, when Kenyan champion Eliud Kipchoge took to the starting line in an experimental Nike Vaporfly model. The lightweight shoe with a curved carbon fibre plate and special elastic foam changed the mechanics of movement, helping the athlete push off harder with every step.

Since then, almost all major brands have released their own versions of the "super trainer" - with the same key elements:

• acarbon fibre plate that gives momentum to the movement;

• ahighly elastic foam that compresses and pushes the foot harder than usual;

• a rocker shapesole for a smooth stride.

But along with the technology came controversy - do these trainers give an "unfair advantage" and are they not harmful to the body?

Do they really help you run faster?

Studies show that "super trainers" can improve running efficiency by 2.5-3 per cent - a result which, at marathon distance, can mean a gain of several minutes. However, the effect is most noticeable in professional athletes and at high speeds.

The main disadvantage is short life span. Due to the peculiarities of materials, "super shoes" wear out faster, requiring frequent replacement. At the same time, the price of such models is often $100 more than conventional trainers.

Can they increase the risk of injury?

The first reports of stress fractures in runners who switched to "super trainers" made scientists wary. The cause may lie in the change in loading: the stiff carbon plate limits the natural flexion of the foot, increasing pressure on the metatarsal bones.

"When the foot cannot move habitually, the load is redistributed. This can cause microdamage in the midfoot," the study authors explain.

At the same time, a thickened sole reduces pressure on the bones of the lower leg - which, according to some experts, may conversely reduce the risk of injury in this area.

How to use "super shoes" without harming them

Specialists advise using such trainers only for competitions or key training sessions, not for everyday running.
Before use, it is worth giving the body time to adapt - introduce new shoes gradually, starting with short distances.

If you experience pain or discomfort in the foot during training, you should immediately return to your usual shoes and consult a specialist. For people with fragile bones or a past history of stress fractures, doctors do not recommend using "supercross shoes" at all.

So far, the data is mixed: one American study found that runners wearing "supercross shoes" were injured half as often as those wearing regular shoes, while Swedish scientists found no difference in injury rates. However, both projects did not disclose their funding sources - perhaps they were supported by the shoe manufacturers themselves.

"Super trainers" can indeed speed up a runner, especially an experienced one, but the cost is not only financial. While science has not given a definitive answer, experts advise caution: the race for records is not worth the health of joints and bones.