Effect of Carbon Fiber Plates on Running Economy in Well-Trained Recreational Runners Using Commercially Available Running Shoes

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a carbon fiber (CF) plate on running economy (RE) in males and females wearing commercially available shoes of nearly identical midsole composition, geometry, and stack height. Differences in RE in shoes with and without a CF plate were studied with a third “gold standard” comparator. Methods: Seventeen ( N = 17) participants who had previously run under 18 min (males) or 21 min (females) in the 5 km distance completed the study. Three shoe conditions were evaluated at intensities slightly above and below the individual ventilatory threshold (VT), totaling six 5-min RE bouts. Results: In two otherwise identical Skechers Performance brand running shoes, RE was unchanged with a CF winglet plate running at intensities below ( P = 0.497) and above VT ( P = 0.607). The Nike Vaporfly 4% improved RE with respect to the Skechers Speed Elite CF shoe, both below (2.6%, P < 0.001) and above VT (2.1%, P < 0.001). Conclusions: These findings suggest that a CF plate alone may not improve RE. It remains more likely that a combined effect of midsole composition, shoe geometry, and a CF plate in concert promotes the greatest enhancement in RE in well-trained recreational male and female runners.