"Super" Shoes Do Not Alter Jump Kinetics
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Health and Human Performance
Date of Award
Summer 8-18-2025
Abstract
Marathon run times have been dropping rapidly in recent years and many believe that “super” shoes are the reason. “Super” shoes are made with light-weight, highly compliant and resilient midsole foam and a rigid carbon fiber plate. The material used for the foam can store mechanical energy, i.e., compliance, and return the energy, i.e., resilience (Worobets et al, 2014). The carbon fiber plates increase bending stiffness and changes the leverage of the ankle and metatarsophalangeal point, such that the body is propelled upward and forward (Roy & Stefanyshyn, 2006). Indeed, there is evidence that “super” shoes can improve running economy and thus performance in endurance running events, at least for those running at faster pace (Hoogkamer et al, 2018; Joubert & Jones, 2022). However, it is unknown if “super” shoes can improve jump performance. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to examine if “super” shoes affect jump performance, balance, and kinematics in NCAA Division 1 athletes. METHODS: Twenty-seven varsity athletes (10W: 175.0 ± 7.2 cm, 66.5 ± 8.3 kg & 17M: 180.4 ± 5.5 cm, 78.2 ± 10.7 kg) performed six movements within the DARI Motion system: 1) Vertical jump; 2) Unilateral vertical jump, left and right (L and R); 3) Drop jump; 4) Five hop, L and R; 5) Lateral bound, L and R; and 6) Stork balance with eyes open, L and R. Four racing shoes (three “super” shoes and one traditional control shoe) were tested. Following a familiarization trial in the participant’s own shoe, participants completed four more trials, one in each shoe in randomized order. Data was analyzed using a mixed general linear model, p < 0.05. Significant differences were observed between the “super” shoes during the countermovement vertical jump, particularly in concentric right knee flexion at peak torque (p < 0.001). While the “super” shoes altered knee flexion angle during peak torque, they did not significantly affect kinetics. Therefore, “super” shoes may not be advantageous for athletes looking to increase jump performance by manipulating peak torque and flexion angles of the knees and ankles.
Advisor
Vipa Bernhardt
Subject Categories
Biomechanics | Kinesiology | Life Sciences
Recommended Citation
Tousant, Marshall, ""Super" Shoes Do Not Alter Jump Kinetics" (2025). Electronic Theses & Dissertations. 1312.
https://lair.etamu.edu/etd/1312
