Doctors of Running Podcast
#287 The Latest on Super Shoe Research 2.0: Matching Up to Your Running, Known Effects on the Body, How to Adapt Appropriately
1h 0m
Matt is joined by Dr. Iain Hunter of Brigham Young University's Exercise Science department for an evidence-based deep dive into the science of super shoes. Drawing on his own research, Dr. Hunter explores the wide variability in how runners respond to plated footwear and tackles the practical questions runners are asking — whether super shoes are right for everyone, how to find the right fit, and how to integrate them wisely into training. They also dig into what the research says about tendon health, trail super shoes, and maintaining foot and calf strength.
Dr. Hunter completed a mathematics education degree with a coaching minor at BYU followed by a Master's of Education in coaching. His interests in biomechanics grew during his master's degree which led him to continue education with a PhD in Health and Human Performance at Oregon State University. He teaches biomechanics while working with USA Track and Field applying his research to elite distance runners.
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Chapters
- 0:00 - Intro
- 2:20 - Dr. Iain Hunter's background
- 6:48 - How the results of Iain's studies have impacted his training
- 11:20 - How do people's responses to super shoes vary?
- 21:54 - Does everyone need a super shoe? How should they find the right one for them?
- 25:48 - Advice on training in super shoes
- 30:42 - How super shoe effect tendon health
- 41:34 - What's the research on trail super shoes?
- 45:10 - How to maintain foot & calf strength
- 50:28 - What's coming next for Dr. Hunter's research?
- 53:02 - Adapting to super shoes
- 57:44 - Finding Dr. Hunter's work online
- 59:16 - Wrap-up
