Shoe Signature Monitoring for Advanced Running Technique (P145)

Abstract

An athlete and support team will utilise whatever tools are at theirdisposal to help `measure' the athletic ability and develop it further.However, assessment of the athletic motion technique and propulsionmechanics is usually limited to a combination of indirect techniques(visual, high-speed video etc.) and may include some direct measurementof foot-surface contact forces or pressures in a controlled laboratoryenvironment. The next logical step in research and development is toprovide high quality information of the foot-surface interaction duringthe athlete's motion in training by the development of advancedinstrumentation attached in some way. This information could provideenormous benefits to individuals to both enhance their performance andalso provide unique feedback on their (more controlled) rehabilitationfrom injury. This paper describes findings to date from a currentEPSRC/UK Sport funded study to evaluate, in the first instance, what andhow appropriate feedback Could be given to elite athletes and theircoaches of their running characteristics. The research undertaken thusfar has elicited the detailed user requirements from a series ofinterviews and workshops with elite coaches and athletes and sets Out aframework for delivering appropriate technology directly tailored toboth measure and enhance performance. The qualitative data is presentedas a hierarchical graphical plot showing the six general dimensions(technique, footwear and surface, environment, performance, injury andcardiovascular). These are discussed in detail in turn, with regard tothe instrumentation technology required for delivery, and with anemphasis on ideal processed data visualisation techniques required forrelatively simple absorption and actions by the athlete and coachingteam.