November 6, 2019

Expert: Nike Vaporfly shoes are the latest advancement in long-distance running

Rayvon Fouché Rayvon Fouché
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WHAT: Kenyan runner Geoffrey Kamworor won the men’s side of the 2019 New York City Marathon, but the spotlight has turned to his footwear, Nike Vaporfly shoes, which give runners a 4% boost in “running economy,” the company says. The foam cushion and carbon plate design has caused some competitors to question whether it gave Kamworor and other front-runners an advantage in the race.

EXPERT: Rayvon Fouché is author of “Game Changer: The Technoscientific Revolution in Sports,” which explores how iterative changes to the design of running shoes have historically given athletes an edge. Fouché is a professor of American studies in Purdue University’s College of Liberal Arts and specializes in the intersection of sports, science and technology.

QUOTE: “For distances such as the marathon, the advances in cushioning have been a big step forward as running shoes have developed over the years. Historically, these highly cushioned shoes have been exclusively used in training and abandoned for racing flats during competition. But companies like Hoka and Nike are leading the change. My research notes that shoes have always made a difference, but recent events and the extreme design of these shoes have brought this reality to light.”

Writer: Joseph Paul, 765-494-9541, paul102@purdue.edu

Source: Rayvon Fouché, 765-494-7161, rfouche@purdue.edu

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