Effects of Extended Use of Advanced Midsole Foam on Running Economy and Biomechanics in Trained Female Runners - Eligibility Form |
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Running shoes incorporating advanced midsole foam (ADV) have been shown to improve running economy and influence running biomechanics. However, less is known about how these benefits change with extended use, particularly in female runners who remain underrepresented in footwear research. The purpose of this study is to investigate how extended use of ADV influences running economy and biomechanics in female runners. Specifically, this research will examine how different ADV materials respond to prolonged use and whether changes in shoe properties are associated with changes in running performance. By improving our understanding of footwear durability and performance in female runners, this research may help inform future footwear design and sport science research.
DETAILS OF THE STUDY
This project includes two possible phases of participation.
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Phase 1: Shoe Wear-In Protocol:
Participants selected for this phase will be provided with study footwear to take home and asked to record their running activities and mileage using Strava. Participants will be asked to accumulate 50 km of total running mileage on paved surfaces in each assigned pair of study shoes during their normal training at a self-prescribed easy run pace. If participants have an existing Strava account, it will be connected to a system that allows the research team to automatically monitor running mileage completed in the study footwear. If participants do not have a Strava account, an anonymous profile will be created for them and linked to the API. All footwear will be distributed and collected as necessary by the research team. The process may be repeated with additional footwear assignments until all footwear conditions required for the study have been met.
Participants selected for this phase will be provided with study footwear to take home and asked to record their running activities and mileage using Strava. Participants will be asked to accumulate 50 km of total running mileage on paved surfaces in each assigned pair of study shoes during their normal training at a self-prescribed easy run pace. If participants have an existing Strava account, it will be connected to a system that allows the research team to automatically monitor running mileage completed in the study footwear. If participants do not have a Strava account, an anonymous profile will be created for them and linked to the API. All footwear will be distributed and collected as necessary by the research team. The process may be repeated with additional footwear assignments until all footwear conditions required for the study have been met.
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Phase 2: Laboratory Testing Protocol:
Eligible participants will be asked to complete laboratory testing at the Simon Fraser University Human Performance Lab in Surrey. During a single testing session, participants will complete eleven 3-minute running trials at a speed of 5:00 min/km while wearing different study footwear conditions. Physiological and biomechanical measurements will be collected throughout testing and will include oxygen consumption, heart rate, running biomechanics, and fingertip blood lactate measurements.
Eligible participants will be asked to complete laboratory testing at the Simon Fraser University Human Performance Lab in Surrey. During a single testing session, participants will complete eleven 3-minute running trials at a speed of 5:00 min/km while wearing different study footwear conditions. Physiological and biomechanical measurements will be collected throughout testing and will include oxygen consumption, heart rate, running biomechanics, and fingertip blood lactate measurements.
Participants selected for laboratory testing will receive detailed study procedures and scheduling information prior to participation.
Participation in either phase is voluntary, and completion of this eligibility survey does not guarantee selection for the study.
If you are interested in participating in this study, please click “Next” below to determine your eligibility. If you have any questions about this project, please contact Jack Williams (jgw8@sfu.ca).
Ethics Application Number:#30003959