The Effect of a Carbon Fiber Insole on the Energy Return of a Midfoot Strike Versus a Forefoot Strike in a Running Shoe
School Name
Spring Valley High School
Grade Level
10th Grade
Presentation Topic
Physics
Presentation Type
Non-Mentored
Abstract
With running being one of the most widely popular types of physical activity, athletes constantly strive to enhance their performance in the sport. Carbon fiber insoles have made their way into the running community by providing athletes with increased energy return through their high tensile strength. The purpose of this research project was to investigate the comparative energy return between a forefoot strike and midfoot strike while assessing the effectiveness of carbon fiber insoles in comparison to control insoles when integrated into Nike Pegasus 38 shoes. It was hypothesized that a forefoot strike with a carbon fiber insole would yield a greater energy return than a midfoot strike with a carbon fiber insole because of the increased LBS and MBS associated with using a forefoot strike versus a midfoot strike. The participant was tasked with the job of running on a force plate to complete four segments of 50 trials each. All data were extracted from the force plate and put into three formulas to find the energy return. Data were statistically analyzed using a paired z-test using a 95% confidence interval. The mean energy return was determined to be statistically significant, as the f value of 5.539 was greater than the f test statistic of 2.655. Therefore, it was concluded that there is sufficient evidence to suggest that the mean energy return of a forefoot strike with a CFI is not equivalent to that of a midfoot strike with a CFI.
Recommended Citation
Robinson, Joseph, "The Effect of a Carbon Fiber Insole on the Energy Return of a Midfoot Strike Versus a Forefoot Strike in a Running Shoe" (2024). South Carolina Junior Academy of Science. 522.
https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/scjas/2024/all/522
Location
RITA 365
Start Date
3-23-2024 10:15 AM
Presentation Format
Oral and Written
Group Project
No
The Effect of a Carbon Fiber Insole on the Energy Return of a Midfoot Strike Versus a Forefoot Strike in a Running Shoe
RITA 365
With running being one of the most widely popular types of physical activity, athletes constantly strive to enhance their performance in the sport. Carbon fiber insoles have made their way into the running community by providing athletes with increased energy return through their high tensile strength. The purpose of this research project was to investigate the comparative energy return between a forefoot strike and midfoot strike while assessing the effectiveness of carbon fiber insoles in comparison to control insoles when integrated into Nike Pegasus 38 shoes. It was hypothesized that a forefoot strike with a carbon fiber insole would yield a greater energy return than a midfoot strike with a carbon fiber insole because of the increased LBS and MBS associated with using a forefoot strike versus a midfoot strike. The participant was tasked with the job of running on a force plate to complete four segments of 50 trials each. All data were extracted from the force plate and put into three formulas to find the energy return. Data were statistically analyzed using a paired z-test using a 95% confidence interval. The mean energy return was determined to be statistically significant, as the f value of 5.539 was greater than the f test statistic of 2.655. Therefore, it was concluded that there is sufficient evidence to suggest that the mean energy return of a forefoot strike with a CFI is not equivalent to that of a midfoot strike with a CFI.
