• Question: can different shoes allow you to run better

    Asked by tomm to Pete, Rebecca, SallyB, Sally, Sian on 22 Jun 2010 in Categories: .
    • Photo: Sally Fenton

      Sally Fenton answered on 21 Jun 2010:

      There are certain types of shoes designed for running. People wear things called “spikes” for sprinting and special trainers have also been designed for running long distances. Scientists work to find shoes which are designed in a way to optimise running performance and these are sold in shops once they have been proved to work!

    • Photo: Sian Lawson

      Sian Lawson answered on 22 Jun 2010:

      Yes, they can provide better shock absorption and correct the way that your foot hits and leaves the ground to keep you straight.

      The straighter you are the less likely you are to get injured and the more of your driving force is going in the right direction, making you faster.

    • Photo: Rebecca Randell

      Rebecca Randell answered on 22 Jun 2010:

      Some people when they plant their foot during running plant it wrong, this can cause the person an injury if they keep running that way. Some shoes are designed to correct this. Some people get their running style analysed before they buy new trainers so they can see what kind of trainers they need. With the right trainers you can definitely run better.

    • Photo: Peter Styring

      Peter Styring answered on 22 Jun 2010:

      Definitely. I had some adidas shoes that were brilliant. I then went on to Mizunos and they ripped my feet apart! There is a huge amount of research into running shoes. I have a pair of Nike running shoes I use at the moment that use technology originally designed for the space shuttle! Each shoe weighs only 96 g and has a port for a sensor that connects to an iPod to monitor performance.

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