The objective of this study was to clarify the effects of shoe type ─ Nike Vaporfly (VF) with carbon- fiber plates and enhanced cushioning, versus traditional (TRAD) running shoes - on the kinematics of 5000-m track running among collegiate male distance runners. Ten male runners (age 20.2 ± 4.0 years, mass 53.2 ± 3.1 kg, height 1.77 ± 0.06 m, and a 5000-m personal best of 14:15.395) participated, conducting two 5000-m time trials on a 400-m track in both shoe conditions, with at least a four-hour rest interval to mitigate fatigue effects. Kinematic and spatiotemporal data were collected through two-dimensional sagittal plane analysis at 120 fps, specifically focusing on segments without body land markers to avoid influencing performance. Parameters analyzed included joint angles during critical phases of the gait cycle (foot contact, mid-stance, and toe-off) and spatiotemporal metrics (step frequency, length, and running speed), utilizing Frame DIAS V software. The results indicated a significant improvement in 5000-m completion time in VF shoes (14:37.440) compared to TRAD shoes (14:56.444). Furthermore, a two-way ANOVA demonstrated significant shoe type effects on specific joint angles and an increase in running distance, with no interaction observed between shoe type and running distance on kinematic parameters. This suggests that VF shoes may modify in foot kinematics to enhance running speed through, offering insights into footwear design and performance optimization for athletes.
Yanagiya et al. (Thu,) studied this question.