MIT Engineers Develop Model to Predict Impact of Shoe Properties on Runner's Performance

The model, which simulates a runner's gait based on personal dimensions and shoe properties, could be a valuable tool for innovative shoe design.

MIT engineers have developed a model that predicts how shoe properties will affect a runner's performance.
The model incorporates a person's height, weight, and other general dimensions, along with shoe properties such as stiffness and springiness along the midsole.
The model can simulate how a runner's gait changes with different shoe types and identify the shoe that minimizes a runner's expended energy.
While the model is less effective when comparing similar shoe designs, it could be a valuable tool for shoe designers looking to innovate.
The team plans to improve the model so that consumers can use a similar version to choose shoes that fit their personal running style.