On this episode, Nathan and Matt have the privilege of interviewing Dr. Wouter Hookgamer about his research on super shoes and how they affect running performance. They discuss what makes a super shoe "super" (the plate, the geometry, the foam, or all three?). They also discuss Wouter's latest writing and research on getting the best results from running research trials. They get Wouter's take on training in super trainers/plated shoes and how they may effect biomechanics. Be sure to listen to this fascinating discussion on super shoes and research!

Dr. Wouter Hookgamer is a researcher focusing on biomechanics and energetics of human locomotion and running. He currently leads the UMASS Integrative Motion Lab. If you’ve been in the running shoe space, and are listening to this podcast you likely have heard of one of his most “famous” studies colloquially known as “The 4% Study”, which looked at the original Nike Vaporfly and produced results that gave the shoe it’s name. Beyond research, he is a runner and ultra-runner himself and was the founder of the Trail Ultra Mountain Alliance.

Chapters

• 0:00 - Intro
• 3:40 - The Subjective: what's your favorite super shoe?
• 8:01 - Wouter's article: The Fallacy of Single Trials
• 15:33 - Structuring research to achieve more confident results
• 18:47 - Accounting for variabilty in trial results
• 21:38 - Defining physiological drift
• 26:44 - The risks of using single trials
• 38:10 - Wouter's definition of super shoes
• 41:40 - The roles of plates, foams, and geometries in super shoes
• 55:10 - Wouter's take on super trainers and training in plated shoes
• 1:06:36 - Why do some respond to certain shoes and not others?
• 1:12:07 - Wrap-up

As any runner knows, injuries are all too common. On this episode, Nate & David look to bring some education and aid if you've got a foot injury. They look at the anatomy of the foot, common pathologies, and more. Tune in for some practical strategies for minimizing your injury risk and assessing & gaining mobility. On the back half of the show, they review the brand new ASICS Superblast 2, an update to one of our team's favorite shoes.

Chapters

• 0:00 - Intro
• 8:22 - Keys to injury prevention
• 14:50 - Tips for at-home mobility work
• 22:59 - The anatomy of foot injuries
• 31:41 - Common foot injuries
• 36:22 - Diagnosing & treating different foot injuries
• 43:32 - Asics Superblast 2 Review
• 54:50 - Is the Superblast worth the high cost?
• 59:24 - Superblast vs. On Cloudmonster Hyper
• 1:03:34 - Wrap-up

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The cushioning of a shoe is the the number one priority for a lot of runners, but there's more to it than you might think. On this episode, Matt breaks down the ins and outs of cushioning. He'll define compliance and resilience. He looks at how different amounts and types of cushioning effect biomechanics, and explores why it may be useful to have a rotation of shoes that feature different midsoles.

Studies mentioned in the show:

Kulmala, J. P., Kosonen, J., Nurminen, J., & Avela, J. (2018). Running in highly cushioned shoes increases leg stiffness and amplifies impact loading. Scientific reports, 8(1), 17496.

Malisoux, L., Ramesh, J., Mann, R., Seil, R., Urhausen, A., & Theisen, D. (2015). Can parallel use of different running shoes decrease running-related injury risk?. Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports, 25(1), 110–115. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.12154

Mercer, M. A., Stone, T. M., Young, J. C., & Mercer, J. A. (2018). Running economy while running in shoes categorized as maximal cushioning. International journal of exercise science, 11(2), 1031.

Theisen, D., Malisoux, L., Genin, J., Delattre, N., Seil, R., & Urhausen, A. (2014). Influence of midsole hardness of standard cushioned shoes on running-related injury risk. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 48(5), 371-376.

Worobets, J., Wannop, J. W., Tomaras, E., & Stefanyshyn, D. (2014). Softer and more resilient running shoe cushioning properties enhance running economy. Footwear Science, 6(3), 147-153.