Benchmarking stiffness of current sprint spikes and concept selective laser sintered nylon outsoles
bookPart
Stefanyshyn and Fusco (2004) demonstrated that sprint performance can be improved if the stiffness of standard running spikes is increased. The authors concluded that in order to maximise performance individual tuning of the athlete's shoe stiffness to the athlete's particular characteristics is required. Rapid manufacturing processes, such as selective laser sintering (SLS) of nylon, offer numerous advantages over conventional manufacturing techniques. Key advantages include the ability to produce complex geometries and internal structures in a single process. Of particular relevance to sprint shoe design is the ability to produce customised outsoles that are specific to the requirements of individual athletes. Sprint spike mechanical performance values were measured using a standard test and the data obtained used to produce benchmark values. The results were catalogued into an incremented range of outsole stiffness responses. Additionally, a range of SLS outsoles were subjected to the same benchmarking procedure, their performance is compared to that of commercially available spikes. The future potential to maximise sprint performance by tuning shoe stiffness to the individual characteristics of an athlete is discussed.
TNO Identifier
953867
ISBN
0387346805
Publisher
Springer New York
Source title
The Engineering of Sport 6
Pages
415-420
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