In the article “Smart Running Shoes:
Will They Change The Way You Run”, Lin (2017) claims that the advancement of
smart technology in running shoes can enhance user’s performance. In 2012,
popular sports brand such as UnderArmour (UA) released their UA Speedform
Gemini 2 smart shoe which can display data such as muscle exhaustion, “cadence
and pace” and monitor the “shoe’s mileage” through a mobile app, MapMyRun. In
2017, Altra smart shoes took it up a notch by not only making their footwear
stylish, but also implementing sensors that detect irregular foot patterns and
warn users through their “built-in” sole voice assistant to correct their
footsteps and pacing. Lin also mentions that the voice assistant can prevent
runners from any cumulative injury. On top of that, the shoe compromises
breathability and feathery features that enhance user's comfortability. Smart
running shoes have smart features that detect runners foot pattern and provide
feedback to make runners less prone to injury. However, for a runner to own
smart shoe is inessential and there is a better option available in the market.
In the first place buying a smart
shoe will never cross a general consumer’s mind due to little knowledge of the
technology. Song (2019) mentions that “But if you’re a casual runner who knows the
basics and your running shoes aren’t in dire need of replacement? Whatever
you’ve got is probably fine.” As compared to normal running shoe, smart shoe is
too pricey while featuring smart features which smart watch has currently in
the market. A pair of smart shoe cost ranging USD$150 to USD$220 at least twice
as expensive as a regular running shoe. However, for frequent runners their
shoe soles will wear out quicker and thus required a replacement. Therefore, it
is not budget friendly as runners are expected to change a new pair from time
to time.
Runners have been fighting against
the menace of injury constantly. Although smart shoes assist in correcting
runners foot pattern allow runners less prone to injury, eventually everyone
has different running style and from their experiences they can figure out
their preferred technique to run. Ross (2008) from sportsscientists website
claims “the prospect of
simply ‘learning’ a new running technique which makes you faster and less
injury prone is too good to be true”. Song (2019) comments
that beginners whom have no clue about cadence or stride, investing in a smart
running shoes might prevent them from injuries to a certain extent. In contrast,
a regular runner whom is experienced and skilled with their running techniques
can prevent common foot injuries.
A preferable choice
would be smartwatch because in recent years smartwatch is growing in popularity
and has made its mark. Song (2019) compares smart shoes with smartwatches
such as “an Apple Watch, Garmin tracker,
or Fitbit” and called them “not all that special” as both smart technologies
have similar smart features which track “distance, pace, splits, cadence, and
stride length”. Hence, having a smartwatch is a better option for runners to
monitor their exercise statistics and achieving fitness goals.
Ross (2008) also
states that “runners who ran in shoes costing more than $95 actually were twice as
likely to get injured than runners who ran in shoes costing only $40!” which sounded contradicting how better shoes are causing the
injuries. Due to smart shoe high cost and how frequently the shoes will
be worn for running, it will eventually require a replacement and this result
in exceeding budget. In addition, smart running shoes can reduce injuries with
the feedback to correct runners foot pattern but sustaining to injury is
inevitable. All in all, smart running shoe being able to change runner’s
running method is highly controversial.
Reference
Lin, N. (2017,
September 20) Smart Running Shoes: Will They Change The Way You Run? Run
Society. https://www.runsociety.com/opinions/smart-running-shoes-will-theychange-the-way-you-run/
Song, V. (2019, February 05) I Thought Under Armours' Smart Running Shoes Were
Gonna Be Dumb as Hell, But I Was Wrong. Gizmodo. https://gizmodo.com/i-thought-under-armours-smart-sneakers-were-gonna-be-du-1832241172
Ross. (2008, March
04) Running shoes: Solution or problem? Sports Scientists. https://sportsscientists.com/2008/03/running-shoes-solution-or-the-problem/
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