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I wonder if they also increase the efficiency of running. Maybe the first marathon runner to break the 2-hour barrier will be wearing them. If the efficiency i

by deegles 12y ago

I wonder if they also increase the efficiency of running. Maybe the first marathon runner to break the 2-hour barrier will be wearing them. If the efficiency increase is significant, I could see it becoming common to wear for commuting to work. You could run longer distances with less wear on your body.

snarkyturtle 12y ago
I feel like the running community would shun them, since it's technically an method of assistance. Besides, I bet for ultra-elite marathon runners, the bulk of the shoe would outweigh the benefits it provides. You're talking about people who wear super-light minimalist shoes because it gives them an advantage.
- robotresearcher 12y ago
  The claimed walking advantage is 7% even with the extra weight, which is a hell of a lot. They make no claim for running.
- Potando 12y ago
  This is a paradox of runners and cyclists too. They use high-tech gear to make running easier - easier than a naked human can do it - but they refuse powered assistance. I don't understand why they make such a clear distinction between using gadgets to save power and using gadgets to provide more power. If it's about natural un-assisted ability, they shouldn't wear shoes either.
- Someone 12y ago
  Depends on a lot of factors, including whether the public would like it (would they applaud the higher speeds or find it cheating?) There already is a lot of assistance in athletics, not even limited to footwear. For example, running tracks have 9 lanes nowadays, even though only 8 people start in sprinting events. Reason? The innermost lane is softer, for middle and long distance runners; the other 8 are harder for the shorter distances. On the other hand, it always surprises me that, in athletics, competitors wear numbers tied to their shirts with safety pins. Especially in the 100m and 200m, the one on the back of the runner must cause significant drag.
ssully 12y ago
In the article they mention it's about a 7% efficiency increase, which they say is equivalent to taking of a 10 pound backpack. Which considering it's an unpowered device, it actually really impressive to me. The running example would be fun to look at, but I think the benefit this could give to people who have trouble walking is even better. My grandfather had post polio syndrome which made walking incredibly difficult for him for most of his life. He didn't let it stop him, but you could see the pain on his face whenever he walked. I think something like this would have been beneficial for him.

by deegles 12y ago

snarkyturtle 12y ago

I feel like the running community would shun them, since it's technically an method of assistance. Besides, I bet for ultra-elite marathon runners, the bulk of the shoe would outweigh the benefits it provides. You're talking about people who wear super-light minimalist shoes because it gives them an advantage.

robotresearcher 12y ago
The claimed walking advantage is 7% even with the extra weight, which is a hell of a lot. They make no claim for running.
Potando 12y ago
This is a paradox of runners and cyclists too. They use high-tech gear to make running easier - easier than a naked human can do it - but they refuse powered assistance. I don't understand why they make such a clear distinction between using gadgets to save power and using gadgets to provide more power. If it's about natural un-assisted ability, they shouldn't wear shoes either.
Someone 12y ago
Depends on a lot of factors, including whether the public would like it (would they applaud the higher speeds or find it cheating?) There already is a lot of assistance in athletics, not even limited to footwear. For example, running tracks have 9 lanes nowadays, even though only 8 people start in sprinting events. Reason? The innermost lane is softer, for middle and long distance runners; the other 8 are harder for the shorter distances. On the other hand, it always surprises me that, in athletics, competitors wear numbers tied to their shirts with safety pins. Especially in the 100m and 200m, the one on the back of the runner must cause significant drag.

ssully 12y ago

In the article they mention it's about a 7% efficiency increase, which they say is equivalent to taking of a 10 pound backpack. Which considering it's an unpowered device, it actually really impressive to me. The running example would be fun to look at, but I think the benefit this could give to people who have trouble walking is even better. My grandfather had post polio syndrome which made walking incredibly difficult for him for most of his life. He didn't let it stop him, but you could see the pain on his face whenever he walked. I think something like this would have been beneficial for him.