Clinical Research Directory

A Multiphase Analysis of Next-generation Trail Footwear

Sponsor: Fernando González-Mohíno Mayoralas

Summary

This study will investigate how different advanced-foam trail-running footwear configurations affect running economy, performance, comfort, and fatigue in competitive trail runners. The project aims to determine whether footwear characteristics, particularly foam properties and stack height, influence physiological and biomechanical responses during both controlled laboratory running and real-world trail running. Approximately 30 competitive trail runners with experience in technical trail running and no musculoskeletal injury during the previous six months will participate. The study will use a two-phase experimental design. In Phase 1, participants will complete running economy assessments in three footwear conditions in randomized order. The footwear conditions will include a high-stack advanced-foam prototype, a medium-stack advanced-foam prototype, and a conventional-foam shoe. Laboratory testing will be performed during uphill and downhill treadmill running. Participants will also complete field-based running economy trials on real trail terrain at a controlled speed, followed by a short time trial to establish a representative running pace. In Phase 2, participants will complete prolonged trail-running sessions in the two advanced-foam footwear configurations on a 15-km trail course. Running economy and fatigue-related responses will be assessed repeatedly during the prolonged exercise sessions to evaluate changes in physiological and biomechanical efficiency over time. The primary physiological outcome will be running economy, assessed through oxygen consumption and energy cost. Additional outcomes will include heart rate, step frequency, step length, ground contact time, perceived exertion, comfort, perceived performance, and pacing-related measures. The study will compare laboratory and field responses to determine whether differences in running economy observed under controlled conditions are maintained during real trail running and whether footwear configuration influences the deterioration of running economy and fatigue during prolonged exercise.

Official title: A Multiphase Analysis of Next-generation Trail Footwear: Optimising Advanced Footwear Technology From Laboratory Outcomes to Field-based Running Performance

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