Highly Cushioned Shoes Improve Running Performance in Both the Absence and Presence of Muscle Damage

Abstract

PurposeWe tested the hypotheses that a highly cushioned running shoe (HCS) would 1) improve incremental exercise performance and reduce the oxygen cost (Oc) of submaximal running, and 2) attenuate the deterioration in Oc elicited by muscle damage consequent to a downhill run.MethodsThirty-two recreationally active participants completed an incremental treadmill test in an HCS and a control running shoe (CON) for the determination of Oc and maximal performance. Subsequently, participants were pair matched and randomly assigned to one of the two footwear conditions to perform a moderate-intensity running bout before and 48 h after a 30-min downhill run designed to elicit muscle damage.ResultsIncremental treadmill test performance was improved (+5.7%; +1:16 min:ss; P < 0.01) in the HCS when assessed in the nondamaged state, relative to CON. This coincided with a significantly lower Oc (−3.2%; −6 mL·kg−1·km−1; P < 0.001) at a range of running speeds and an increase in the speed corresponding to 3 mM blood lactate (+3.2%; +0.4 km·h−1; P < 0.05). As anticipated, the downhill run resulted in significant changes in biochemical, histological, and perceptual markers of muscle damage, and a significant increase in Oc (+5.2%; 10.1 mL·kg−1·km−1) was observed 48 h post. In the presence of muscle damage, Oc was significantly lower in HCS (−4.6%; −10 mL·kg−1·km−1) compared with CON.ConclusionsThese results indicate that HCS improved incremental exercise performance and Oc in the absence of muscle damage and show, for the first time, that despite worsening of Oc consequent to muscle damage, improved Oc in HCS is maintained.

The Effect of Using Marathon Shoes or Track Spikes on Neuromuscular Fatigue caused by a Long-distance Track Training Session

“…Other studies have analyzed the effect of footwear on the resulting fatigue. Black et al [40] determined the influence of using a highly cushioned model on the muscle damage resulted after 30 minutes of downhill run at a moderate intensity compared to a control model with less compliant and resilient midsole properties. Although there was no significant main effect of footwear on the extent of muscle damage observed, the firstly improved RE (~ 3.2 %) with the highly cushioned model was further reduced 48 hours after (~ 4.6 %) [40].…”

“…Black et al [40] determined the influence of using a highly cushioned model on the muscle damage resulted after 30 minutes of downhill run at a moderate intensity compared to a control model with less compliant and resilient midsole properties. Although there was no significant main effect of footwear on the extent of muscle damage observed, the firstly improved RE (~ 3.2 %) with the highly cushioned model was further reduced 48 hours after (~ 4.6 %) [40]. Likewise, Vercruyssen et al [13] observed a greater RE deterioration when using the Salomon Sense minimal model compared to the Salomon XT traditional model after completing a trail running course.…”

Effects of the Nike ZoomX Vaporfly Next% 2 shoe on long‐interval training performance, kinematics, neuromuscular parameters, running power and fatigue

“…Recently, it has been suggested that highly cushioned shoes (i.e. those with similar material characteristics to the VPF shoe model) improve incremental exercise performance and RE in absence and presence of muscle damage (Black et al, 2022). This aspect can be relevant for training adaptations for runners who could tolerate more training volume at the same intensity or the same volume at higher intensity if they use this type of footwear more frequently.…”

“…This type of shoe is more commonly used in competition, although it also can be used in high‐intensity training sessions such as short‐ and long‐interval training. Black et al (2022) have reported improvements in incremental exercise performance and RE with the absence and presence of muscle damage in a highly cushioned shoes with a midsole more compliant and resilient (as the VPF model) when compared to traditional shoes. These findings are relevant as runners using this type of shoe that can improve RE and the physiological and perceived effort, which ultimately may allow to train a greater volume than using other models (Black et al, 2022).…”

“…Black et al (2022) have reported improvements in incremental exercise performance and RE with the absence and presence of muscle damage in a highly cushioned shoes with a midsole more compliant and resilient (as the VPF model) when compared to traditional shoes. These findings are relevant as runners using this type of shoe that can improve RE and the physiological and perceived effort, which ultimately may allow to train a greater volume than using other models (Black et al, 2022). It is well known that high training volume is associated with success in endurance events such as middle‐ and long‐distance running (Casado et al, 2022).…”