This not only used the benefit of a carbon plate sandwiched in the midsole , but also angled the landing plate such that it activates the runner ’ s core , thereby ensuring better style and efficiency . This worked similarly to the way the swimming bodysuit created a strong core , transmitting power directly into movement … and as with swimming , running times and records started to tumble , as runners raved over their performance improvement .

The early Nikes quickly became the talk of road running , and many other brands followed suit , bringing their own ‘ brand twists ’ to the concept . Brooks , Hoka , Adidas , as well as Saucony and their Chinese-based design and manufacturing company , X-Tep , were amongst those to evolve plate shoes . The list continues to grow , with over 100 models now on the World Athletics list , and even more smaller brands , such as OneMix , are now emerging in the local market with plate models selling for less than R2000 .

Levelling the Playing Field

While the initial excitement was on the road , the 2019 track and field World Championships in Qatar also saw the introduction of plated track and field spikes , with still more records tumbling . This resulted in still bigger debates about the technology , and eventually

World Athletics introduced a 40mm maximum stack height rule

for road shoes , and a 25mm height limit for shoes worn on the track for 800m and above . In events below 800m as well as in all field events , the restriction is less than 20mm , and in all cases , only one carbon plate can be embedded in the shoe .

Of course , these rules bring a new set of challenges … For starters , when is the inspection done , and how can officials be sure that the shoes inspected before competition are the same as the ones used in the competitions , and then tested , if necessary , after the competition ? Also , how can officials be sure that the plate shape in the mass-produced version is the same as the one used by a world record-holder during an Olympic or World Championship event ?

Currently , the only way to answer some of these questions would be to literally cut the shoes up , and I doubt that will sit well with any athlete ! Meanwhile , a year without major racing and events has left us still unsure on all these questions , let alone finding ways to combat those who will wish to manipulate the rules to their advantage . It ’ s no use assuming people will be honourable , because as with doping , the potential rewards are of such level that athletes ( and their support team ) could compromise their morals to achieve what they don ’ t deserve .

It is unfortunate that the introduction of rules that try to embrace technology may open larger windows of opportunity , than taking a few steps backwards to a technological era where the make-up of all equipment was totally transparent due to its simplicity . This is because it ’ s possible to write any rule , but if it can ’ t be correctly and simply policed , it makes the rule unmanageable . As it stands , monitoring and confirming compliance with the rule can mean destruction of a perfectly legal shoe , or the muchdelayed cancellation of a seemingly outstanding performance . Neither serves the sport well .

Continued Evolution of Plates

Initially , the plates were predominantly rigid , but now there are also thinner , more

flexible plates with less aggressive landing angles , which are better suited to the mass market . In my January 2020 visit to the X-Tep science and design lab in Xiamen , China , we were already discussing the potential for two to three different styles of plate , or different landing angles on the plates , to better match the differing biomechanics of runners . It ’ s conceivable that in the future , a standard in-store test could be used to determine the best of say three plate shapes for an individual runner .

There is absolutely no question that at the elite end it is possible to personalise an ideal plate and rebound value for a specific athlete . This is one reason why World Athletics rules require shoes to have been available on the open retail market , or for prototype shoes to be available to all elite-level athletes , irrespective of their brand sponsors . It ’ s all about trying to ensure an even playing field in a sport where technological benefits are changing at an extraordinary rate .

Another development is that the new One Mix plate is said to ‘ mould to your foot .’ If true , and effective – which is still to be proven – that would be a major step forward to total customisation , BUT how will that impact on future rules ? Of course , this brings us right back to the complication of how conformity is tested .

Technological Doping

The question being widely asked is whether plated shoes are ‘ technological doping ,’ and how using them stacks up next to freak human performances . A freak is someone who is at the outlier to human norms , be that their height or weight , or their athletic ability . Based on their performance levels , most Olympic and World Champions are freaks : They are the outliers we celebrate for being just that .

As we now head towards the postponed Olympics , the debate of technology versus traditionalism has become increasingly heated as more and more event records are eroded . There seems little doubt that the COVID-induced reduction in racing has contributed to the improved performances , as athletes have raced less and focused more on their training and preparation , but many athletes openly admit that their performances have been assisted by the technology .

Images : Action Photo SA , Bob Martin / INEOS159 Challenge & courtesy Nike & YouTube