#199 What Makes Super Shoes “Super” and Interpreting Results for Individuals with Dr. Wouter Hoogkamer (Researcher, Leader of The 4% Study)

Doctors of Running Podcast

On this episode, Nathan and Matt have the privilege of interviewing Dr. Wouter Hoogkamer about his research on super shoes and how they affect running performance. They discuss what makes a super shoe "super" (the plate, the geometry, the foam, or all three?). They also discuss Wouter's latest writing and research on getting the best results from running research trials. They get Wouter's take on training in super trainers/plated shoes and how they may effect biomechanics. Be sure to listen to this fascinating discussion on super shoes and research!

Dr. Wouter Hoogkamer is a researcher focusing on biomechanics and energetics of human locomotion and running. He currently leads the UMASS Integrative Motion Lab. If you’ve been in the running shoe space, and are listening to this podcast you likely have heard of one of his most “famous” studies colloquially known as “The 4% Study”, which looked at the original Nike Vaporfly and produced results that gave the shoe it’s name. Beyond research, he is a runner and ultra-runner himself and was the founder of the Trail Ultra Mountain Alliance.

Chapters

• 0:00 - Intro
• 3:40 - The Subjective: what's your favorite super shoe?
• 8:01 - Wouter's article: The Fallacy of Single Trials
• 15:33 - Structuring research to achieve more confident results
• 18:47 - Accounting for variabilty in trial results
• 21:38 - Defining physiological drift
• 26:44 - The risks of using single trials
• 38:10 - Wouter's definition of super shoes
• 41:40 - The roles of plates, foams, and geometries in super shoes
• 55:10 - Wouter's take on super trainers and training in plated shoes
• 1:06:36 - Why do some respond to certain shoes and not others?
• 1:12:07 - Wrap-up