“Do Speedy-Shoes Make you Feel Speedier?” The Biopsychosocial Advantage: Deconstructing the Interplay of Biomechanics and Belief in Carbon-Plated Shoes for Ultrarunning
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The advent of carbon-plated shoes (CPS) represents a paradigm shift in running footwear, yielding demonstrable performance benefits in road racing. However, their application to the unique physiological and psychological demands of ultrarunning remains less understood. This report synthesizes biomechanical, physiological, and psychological research to analyze the efficacy of CPS in the ultramarathon context. While these shoes offer measurable biomechanical advantages through the synergistic action of carbon-fiber plates, resilient foams, and rocker geometries, the resulting improvements in running economy are significantly attenuated at the slower speeds characteristic of ultrarunning. This analysis posits that the true value of CPS for ultrarunners may lie in a complex biopsychosocial interaction. The confidence boost derived from the powerful placebo effect, fueled by a pervasive "super shoe" narrative, and enhanced self-efficacy may be as, or more, significant than the marginal physiological gains. Consequently, this report concludes that for the ultrarunner, the carbon-plated shoe functions not merely as a mechanical tool but as a holistic biopsychosocial intervention, where objective performance is inextricably linked to the athlete's belief in the technology.
DOI: 10.17615/0dv6-d945
Author: Thornton, Owen R.
Language: English
Subfield: Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W4416117835
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