Comparing the influence of spikes and running shoes on sprint performance and lower extremity joint kinetics in novices

Introduction Athletic footwear is a factor influencing performance and injury mechanisms in sprinting. While numerous studies have investigated the influence of footwear on expert sprinters, research on novices remains limited. This study aims to examine, performance and biomechanical correlates of injury risk associated with wearing different types of footwear during sprinting in novices. Methods Therefore, eighteen novices completed three 60 m maximal sprints wearing spikes and three wearing running shoes. Sprint times were measured using timing gates. Full-body kinematics were recorded using motion capture suits and imported into a musculoskeletal model, which estimated joint contact forces (JCFs) of the hip, knee, and ankle. Results Findings revealed a significant reduction in sprint times of 1.7% when wearing spikes. Furthermore, spikes resulted in a significant increase of 10.8% body weight (BW) in knee JCFs. Discussion These findings are consistent with previous reports describing an interaction between track spike use and specific training exposure that was associated with an increased injury risk. Although spikes offer performance benefits, beginners should consider the increased knee loading associated with their use. Progressive or occasional use of spikes may prove beneficial for novice sprinters, preventing overuse injuries either by allowing the musculoskeletal system sufficient time to adjust or by limiting exposure to the spike-induced loads.