Research on carbon fiber plates in running shoes

NewsBot · Mar 23, 2026

Carbon Plates in Running Shoes Biomechanics: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Sofia Giachetti Martin
Source

Background: Carbon-plated running shoes (CPS) combine compliant foams with embedded carbon-fiber plates to increase longitudinal bending stiffness and potentially improve running economy. However, whether CPS systematically alter running biomechanics compared with non-carbon-plated shoes (NCPS) remains unclear. Objective: To quantify the biomechanical effects of CPS in healthy adults. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis of crossover trials comparing CPS versus NCPS was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines (PROSPERO CRD420251058609). Searches were performed in MEDLINE, Scopus, LILACS, and Embase (July 2025). Eligible studies included healthy adults (18–70 years) running in CPS and NCPS. Outcomes were step frequency (steps·min⁻¹), leg stiffness (kN·m⁻¹), and peak positive joint power (W·kg⁻¹) at the metatarsophalangeal (MTP), ankle, knee, and hip. Random-effects models were used to estimate standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Certainty of evidence was assessed using GRADE. Results: Fifteen studies were included. No significant differences were observed between CPS and NCPS for leg stiffness (SMD = −0.12; 95% CI: −0.46 to 0.23; p = 0.44), knee power (SMD = 0.21; 95% CI: −0.10 to 0.52; p = 0.12), hip power (SMD = −0.23; 95% CI: −1.36 to 0.90; p = 0.56), or MTP power (SMD = 0.13; 95% CI: −1.87 to 2.12; p = 0.85). A borderline reduction in ankle power was observed with CPS (SMD = −0.71; 95% CI: −1.42 to 0.00; p = 0.05). Step frequency showed a small, non-significant decrease (SMD = −0.16; 95% CI: −0.32 to 0.01; p = 0.06). Certainty ranged from low to moderate. Conclusion: CPS do not produce consistent changes in joint power or leg stiffness compared with NCPS. Biomechanical adaptations appear subtle, with possible distal joint effects but no systematic redistribution of lower-limb mechanics
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NewsBot · Mar 25, 2026

Biomechanical Factors Associated with Intraindividual Differences in Running Economy Across Advanced Footwear Technology Models in Long-Distance Runners
Dominik Fohrmann, Marcelle Schaffarczyk, Carolin Menge, Steffen Willwacher, Alberto Sanchez-Alvarado, Thomas Gronwald & Karsten Hollander
Sports Medicine

Background

Advanced footwear technology (AFT) can enhance long-distance running performance by improving running economy (RE). However, the range of the individual improvements is large. Different intra-individual responses in running biomechanics may account for some of the variation. Thus, this randomized within-subject crossover study aimed to identify biomechanical factors associated with changes in RE when running with different AFT models.
Methods

Twenty-two trained long-distance runners (50% female) ran multiple 5-minute running bouts at their season’s best marathon pace (15.0 ± 2.3 km⸱h− 1) while wearing three standardized AFT models (Nike Air Zoom Alphafly Next% 2, Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite v1, Asics Metaspeed Sky+). During each condition, gas exchange data and three-dimensional kinematics and spatiotemporal variables were acquired. RE was determined as the energetic cost of transport. We used two complementary model selection strategies (Akaike Information Criterion model averaging and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator) to identify biomechanical parameters associated with intra-individual differences in RE, and a repeated measures ANOVA to compare RE between shoes at the group level.
Results

Across shoe conditions, shorter ground contact time was significantly associated with lower energetic cost of transport (β = 0.025, 95% CI [0.010, 0.040], t(42) = 3.33, p = 0.002), reflecting a ~ 1% improvement in RE per 4 ms decrease. We did not find group-level differences in RE between shoe conditions (p = 0.246).
Conclusions

AFT models that reduced runners’ individual ground contact time were associated with improved RE. This effect appears to depend on the individual athlete-shoe interaction since no single AFT model stood out as an overall optimum. These findings can help determine optimal footwear for athletes. Future studies should investigate the interaction of AFT properties and individual biomechanics to identify further RE improvements through footwear individualization.
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NewsBot · Mar 26, 2026

T2-weighted MR imaging of thigh muscle response in male distance runners wearing advanced footwear technology
Lee Rou You et al
Gait & Posture 22 March 2026, 110168

Highlights

•
Advanced footwear technology shoes did not alter thigh muscle metabolic responses compared with traditional running shoes during 18 km/h overground running.
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Magnetic resonance imaging showed no difference in exercise-induced T2 shifts in the quadriceps or hamstrings between the two shoe conditions.
•
Overground running significantly increased exercise-induced T2 shifts in the hamstrings and hip adductor muscles regardless of shoe type.
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These findings suggest that interaction of carbon-fiber plate and highly resilient midsole in AFTs do not influence the exercise induced T2 shifts in the thigh.

Abstract
Background
Advanced footwear technology shoes (AFTs) combine highly resilient midsoles with embedded carbon-fiber plates and are known to alter knee joint kinetics and perceived stability. Whether these biomechanical and perceptual differences translate into altered muscle metabolic responses at the thigh in running remains unclear.
Objective
This study aimed to clarify whether AFTs elicited greater exercise-induced transverse relaxation times (T2) shifts (an MR imaging index of metabolic responses in activated muscles) in quadriceps and hamstrings compared with traditional running shoes (TRADs) during overground running in competitive male distance runners.
Methods
Twelve trained male distance runners completed two sessions (randomized crossover) of 10-min overground running at 3′20″/km (18 km·h⁻¹) in AFTs or TRADs, separated by 6 days. T2-weighted MR images of the right thigh were obtained immediately before and after each run. T2 values were obtained and calculated for rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, vastus intermedius, sartorius, adductors, biceps femoris, semitendinosus, and semimembranosus.
Results
No significant Shoe × Time interactions were observed for the quadriceps, hamstrings, or other measured thigh muscles. A main effect of Time was observed in the biceps femoris, semitendinosus, semimembranosus and adductors in both AFTs and TRADs conditions. Running speed, heart rate, and perceived exertion did not differ between shoe conditions.
Conclusion
These findings suggest that exercise-induced T2 shifts in the thigh were not influenced by the interaction between the carbon-fiber plate and the highly resilient midsole in AFTs.
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NewsBot · Apr 17, 2026

Hollow-Structured Advanced Footwear Technology Improves Running Economy Through Enhanced Energy Storage and Return in Sub-3-Hour Non-Rearfoot Strike Marathon Runners
Bokai Suo, Fengqin Fu, Kaicheng Wu, Jiayu Wang, Zeyu Lu, Bengang Yu, Ruoyu Zhi, Fan Yang, Weijie Fu
Source

This study investigated the effects of a hollow-structured advanced footwear technology (HAFT) compared with a normal advanced footwear technology (NAFT) on running economy (RE) and lower-limb biomechanics in habitual non-rearfoot strike (NRFS) runners. Sixteen male NRFS runners completed biomechanical and metabolic testing under both footwear conditions at a constant speed of 15 km/h. Compared with NAFT, the HAFT reduced energy cost by 2.9% after corrected for shoe mass (HAFT: 14.54 ± 1.00 W/kg; NAFT: 14.98 ± 1.09 W/kg; p = 0.001). Meanwhile, when running in the HAFT, which featured greater midsole compression (HAFT: 2.35 ± 0.08 cm; NAFT: 1.69 ± 0.08 cm; p < 0.001), higher energy storage (HAFT: 15.64 ± 1.45 J; NAFT: 11.03 ± 1.45 J; p < 0.001), and higher energy return (HAFT: 14.00 ± 1.30 J; NAFT: 9.87 ± 1.30 J; p < 0.001) than NAFT, runners exhibited increased leg stiffness (HAFT: 33.62 ± 6.03 kN/m; NAFT: 29.56 ± 5.54 kN/m; p = 0.001), and higher distal rearfoot positive work (HAFT: 0.86 ± 0.35 J/kg; NAFT: 0.41 ± 0.11 J/kg; p < 0.001). These improvements could be explained by a combination of direct mechanical effects (greater midsole energy storage and return), biomechanically mediated effects (changes in lower-limb energetics), and shoe–runner interaction effects, consistent with an NRFS-oriented hollow-structured plate–foam design.
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Research on carbon fiber plates in running shoes

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Research on carbon fiber plates in running shoes

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Bridging the gap between custom foot orthoses research and clinical practice

Diverse podiatry position with learning and research assistance opportunities!

Be Your Best & Engage Your Research Abilities!

Researchgate rating Podiatrists on their forum

Diabetic foot research in Australia

Focus group for a Podology research

Characteristics and Research Trends of the 100 Most-Cited Flatfoot Articles

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