Ultra Shoe Wear

Are your legs or the shoes to blame? A study recently published in Footwear Science examined whether the decrement in midsole material during a trail race may interact with running patterns. While the biomechanics changed (e.g., reduced aerial time, & lower ground reaction forces) with fatigue (as evidenced by decreases in parameters such as single leg jump height post-race) researchers reported no interaction between the changes in footwear properties and running biomechanics after the race. Despite this, a surprising revelation from this study is the rapidity of shoe degradation. Specifically, midsole thickness and energy absorption decreased, and stiffness increased significantly within the solitary 38km trail race (Lloria-Varella et al., 2022).

 We know runners adopt strategies such as increasing step frequency to minimize mechanical stress as fatigue increases. What we learn here is we can’t lay blame for fatigue on the shoes. However, if you’re considering ultras or multi-day racing, invest in at least one pair of fresh sneaks to abet your challenging journey and protect your legs as best you can.