#219 The Science of Running Footwear Biomechanics 2.0: How Elite Athletes Fit In, Rethinking Shoe Categories
Nov 27, 2024
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Jennifer Sumner, Director of Run Research at Brooks, and Evan Day, Manager on the Brooks Run Research Team, dive into the fascinating world of running footwear. They discuss how biomechanics play a critical role in shoe design for both elite athletes and everyday runners. Key topics include the evolving understanding of shoe support versus stability, and the importance of real-world testing and user feedback. The duo also rethinks shoe categories, focusing on the unique needs of all runners and the innovative approaches Brooks takes in their designs.
Brooks focuses on inclusive shoe design for everyday runners, emphasizing comfort and familiarity over speed for optimal performance.
Consumer feedback drives Brooks' footwear testing, ensuring that real-world running experiences guide shoe development beyond laboratory findings.
The distinction between support and stability in running shoes highlights the need for individualized comfort, catering to diverse biomechanics of runners.
Deep dives
The Importance of Everyday Runners in Footwear Design
Footwear development at Brooks focuses on the needs of the everyday runner, highlighting the significance of inclusive shoe design. Research shows that while super shoes have gained popularity among elite athletes, most recreational runners stick to shoes they train in, such as the Ghost or Glycerin. A notable finding indicates that runners who maintain their training shoes for races experience fewer aches and pains, suggesting familiarity leads to comfort and performance. Understanding what everyday runners require from their footwear is crucial to the brand’s ethos, moving beyond just speed-focused designs.
Consumer Insights and Product Testing
Brooks emphasizes the integration of consumer feedback into its footwear testing and development processes. By engaging with everyday runners, the company collects invaluable insights about how various shoes perform in real-world conditions, as opposed to solely laboratory settings. Runners test shoes over multiple weeks, providing feedback on their experiences across different types of runs. This feedback ensures that shoes not only meet performance expectations but also align with the comfort and support needs of the target audience.
Advancements in Habitual Motion Path Research
Brooks has made significant strides in understanding habitual motion pathways during running, which are essential for designing supportive footwear. The newest research expands beyond previous methods by analyzing multiple habitual movements and the entire running gait cycle. By collecting data from various movements, Brooks can identify deviations in runners’ biomechanics and adjust shoe design to facilitate natural motion. This research aims to optimize shoe performance while preventing injury by keeping runners close to their inherent movement patterns.
Support vs. Stability in Running Shoes
A key differentiation in current footwear discussions is the distinction between support and stability. Support is viewed as a multifaceted concept that involves comfort, flexibility, and responsiveness in a shoe, while stability traditionally relates to rigid structures designed to prevent excessive motion. Brooks advocates for shoes that provide individualized support rather than a one-size-fits-all stability approach. Recognizing the importance of various support mechanisms helps cater to the diverse biomechanics of runners, enhancing their overall running experience.
Real-World Testing and Future Research Directions
To enrich footwear development, Brooks is shifting focus to real-world running conditions, utilizing wearable technology to capture runners' biomechanics outside of a laboratory setting. By integrating inertial measurement units (IMUs) into their testing, Brooks can analyze how shoes perform in diverse environments. Furthermore, the inclusion of physiological metrics and psychological factors in research aims to ensure a holistic understanding of what influences running performance and comfort. This multifaceted approach will help Brooks continue to innovate footwear solutions for all types of runners.
On this episode, Matt is joined by two special guests from Brooks, Jennifer Sumner and Evan Day, biomechanists and researchers on the Brooks' Run Research Team. They give a behind-the-scenes look at how Brooks develops shoes not only for the elites, but for the every day, average runner. They discuss how biomechanics differ and what that means for designing and choosing shoes. They explain the differences between "stability" and "support" and look down the road at what's next for real-world runner testing.
Chapters
0:00 - Intro
3:59 - How Brooks develops footwear for the everyday runner
9:35 - Brooks's data on racing shoes for the average runner
14:32 - How biomechanics informs shoe development for the recreational runner
18:54 - Building for the elite athlete
25:19 - How the idea of the habitual motion path has evolved
39:16 - How could we rethink categorizing shoes for new runners?
49:37 - Support vs. stability
53:56 - Brooks's real world runner testing
1:03:54 - Wrap-up
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