Anthropometric and musculo-tendinous mechanical characteristics as contributing factors to running shoe injury etiology and performance enhancing effects.

Recent exceptional distance running performances have been attributed to innovations in advanced footwear technology (AFT). AFT shoes have a stiff, carbon fibre plate inserted in the midsole.

Running economy and other physiological and biomechanical indicators of performance are significantly improved when elite runners run in these shoes. The effects of AFT shoes on parameters indicative of injury risk are, however, unknown.

Furthermore, possible individual differences in the ability to utilise the shoes for enhanced performance have not been studied.This research group is involved in testing shoe energy return properties for establishing thresholds for shoe eligibility for international elite competition.

In this project, individual global data and complex individual muscle-tendon parameters will be determined to characterise individual male and female elite runners.

The importance of the individual characteristics will then be determined relative to the shoe energy return and biomechanical and physiological performance in AFT shoes.

Indications of decreased or increased injury risks can then be established based upon the influence the shoes have upon each individual´s running mechanics.This will be useful for athletes and trainers in being able to adapt for more efficient use of AFT shoe technology.

We will also provide imperative information for World Athletics in providing rules and guidelines which will minimise injury risk and facilitate fair competition.