Effects of Different Athletic Shoes on Treadmill Run

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Training shoes are designed differently for different purposes. Many people believe that expensive shoes mean better performance. Manufacturing companies modify shoes to fit consumer demands in style as opposed to performance. This has made the prices of shoes unreasonably high. PURPOSE: To determine whether a training shoe price determines its performance. HYPOTHESIS: adidas_1DLX (most expensive of the models tested) is the best in terms of comfort level and stability as compared to two other shoes. METHODS: Seven male subjects ranging between the ages of 19 to 31 were recruited to run on a treadmill wearing three shoes adidas_1 DLX, Nike Sparq, and Under Armour Illusion. They ran for four minutes each at their own pace, after which they were asked to rate each shoe based on perceived comfort and stability. Heart rate was measured after each treadmill run. RESULTS: adidas_1DLX had a lower comfort rating than other shoe models. Ratings of stability and heart rate did not differ significantly between models. CONCLUSIONS: adidas_1DLX was the least comfortable and stable despite its high price, possibly because of the computer and motor in the sole. Under Armour Illusion, on the other hand, was the most comfortable and stable shoe though it was cheaper. Price did not predict performance in these training shoes.