The Effect of Carbon Fiber Plated Shoes on the Running Performance of Track Athletes

Abstract

The study of the latest technological developments in the design and materials used in the creation of running shoes have greatly aided beginner and elite runners in breaking their own records and personal best in various local and international marathon competitions around the world. The advent of carbon fiber plated shoes in 2016 greatly helps many runners. This improved performance is said to be directly related to recent improvements in shoes technology, which increased the elastic quality of the shoes, lowering the energy consumption or running. This study will determine how track athletes’ performance is affected by shoes with carbon fiber plating. The researchers used Stopwatch and fitness app Strava to get the time and speed of athletes while running. Athletes undergo a test involving running in standard running shoes and carbon fiber plated shoes in 3km running trials. The findings showed that the level of performance of collegiate athletes improved, and the results also showed a significant difference between the performance of athletes using two different types of shoes.