Effects of the VK Performance Insole on Running Economy in Runners

NewsBot · Jun 3, 2018

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The Effects of the VK Performance Insole on Running
Economy in Highly-Trained Distance Runners
Robert W. Gregory, William R. Lunn, Marc I. Robertson, Robert
S. Axtell, FACSM.
Presented at ACSM Mtg, 2018

Several design features of running shoes such as decreased mass, appropriate midsole
cushioning, and increased longitudinal bending stiffness are associated with improved
running economy (RE). While increased longitudinal bending stiffness has been
achieved through the use of carbon fiber plates inserted into shoe midsoles, there are
several limitations associated with this construction method. An alternative solution
to increase longitudinal bending stiffness in running shoes is to utilize a carbon fiber
shoe insole (CFI) tuned for optimal mechanical efficiency of the athlete-footwear
system. PURPOSE: To determine if a carbon fiber shoe insole (VK Performance
Insole; VKTRY Gear; Milford, CT) can improve running economy in highly-trained
distance runners. METHODS: Ten highly-trained male distance runners (age: 24.7 ±
6.8 years, height: 177.9 ± 5.59 cm, mass: 67.7 ± 5.7 kg) participated in this study. To
measure RE, participants ran for 6 min at 16 km·hr-1 for the following three conditions:
1) control footwear (no CFI), 2) medium flex CFI (VK Pro 4), and 3) stiff flex CFI
(VK Pro 5). Indirect calorimetry was used to measure oxygen consumption (VO2). The
first 4 min were to allow the athlete to reach a steady state and metabolic data from
the last 2 min were used to determine submaximal VO2. The shoe insole conditions
were presented in random order; each RE test was separated by a period of 6 min to
minimize the effects of fatigue. A repeated-measures ANOVA was used to determine
the effects of shoe insole condition on RE.
RESULTS: The submaximal VO2 values for each of the shoe insole conditions were
as follows: 1) control (no CFI): 49.8 ± 3.0 ml·kg-1·min-1; 2) medium flex CFI (VK Pro
4): 50.2 ± 3.5 ml·kg-1·min-1; and, 3) stiff flex CFI (VK Pro 5): 51.3 ± 3.1 ml·kg-1·min-1.
Based on these submaximal VO2 values, there was no difference in RE between the
three different shoe insole conditions [F(2,8) = 0.97, p = 0.44].
CONCLUSIONS: Previous studies have shown that increased longitudinal bending
stiffness achieved through the use of carbon fiber plates inserted into shoe midsoles
can significantly improve RE by 1-4%. However, the use of a CFI did not result in
similar improvements in RE. Further design work and testing of the CFI is required to
determine the optimal longitudinal bending stiffness for improved RE at submaximal
velocities.
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NewsBot · Jun 3, 2018

These are the insoles:
https://www.vktrygear.com

They may need to remove claims on website before FTC gets on to them.

Aka; Skechers Shape Up; Vibram Five Fingers et al

NewsBot · Sep 7, 2018

The Effects of a Carbon Fiber Shoe Insole on Athletic
Performance in Collegiate Athletes
Robert W. Gregory, Robert S. Axtell, Marc I. Robertson and William R. Lunn
Journal of Sports Science 6 (2018) 219-230

Sports equipment such as athletic footwear is designed to prevent injury and/or improve performance. There is limited
research about the effects of foot orthoses or shoe insoles on performance improvement via enhanced energetics. One possible solution
to improve the energy storage and return of athletic footwear is to utilize a carbon fiber shoe insole (CFI) optimally tuned for the human
body-footwear system. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a CFI on athletic performance. Thirty-four (15 males, 19
females) collegiate athletes performed a vertical jump, a pro agility test, and a 10-yard sprint while wearing normal athletic footwear
and footwear incorporating a CFI. Vertical jump height was measured using a commercial Vertec device; pro agility test and 10-yard
sprint times were measured using a laser timing system. The use of a CFI resulted in significant improvements in the vertical jump
(+2.5%, p = 0.012) and the 10-yard sprint (+1.5%, p = 0.020), but not in the pro agility test. These results demonstrated a CFI can
enhance speed/acceleration and power in collegiate athletes. Individual anatomical and biomechanical differences may influence the
appropriate CFI stiffness required for each athlete to achieve maximal performance in sports involving running, jumping, and
change-of-direction.
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