1. Newton Neutral racers Do they really improve performance?
Brendan Rickert

2. What are Newtons? Unique design feature called “Lugs” Actuator
“ Land-Lever-Lift” mechanism1
Newton’s 3rd Law- For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction1

3. Background
Shoes can play an impact in performance by maximizing energy return and minimizing energy loss2
Midsole materials can change performance2
Shoe characteristics can elicit a kinematic adaptation3

4. Background Continued Soft shoe materials lower oxygen demands4
Racing flats improve performance compared to trainers5

5. Shoe Condition WITH LUGS (WL) Newton Neutral Racers
Weight = 9.0 ± 1.6 oz shaved off (8.4 ± 1.3 oz)
WITHOUT LUGS (WOL)
Newton Neutral Racers
Weight = 8.4 ± 1.3 oz

6. Research Hypothesis
It was hypothesized that the Newton Neutral Racer running shoe with forefoot lugs would improve running efficiency as compared to the same shoe without forefoot lugs.

7. Study Design Day 1 VO2Peak Testing Four Stages, two trials within each
6 min. each trial
Day 2
5 min. rest
One with Lugs, One without
60% of VO2Peak
1st Stage
70% of VO2Peak
2nd Stage
80% of VO2Peak
3rd Stage
90% of VO2Peak
4th Stage

8. Participants
12 elite male runners (23.6 ± 4.2 yo, 71.8 ± 6.9 ml/kg/min VO2 Peak)

9. Day 1 Testing VO2 Peak Test Any foot wear
GXT
Any foot wear
Results used to determine speeds for Day 2 Testing
60, 70, 80, 90%

10. Day 2 Testing
4 Stages (60%, 70%, 80%, 90%) determined from initial VO2 Peak results
Two trials within each stage, one with unchanged Newtons, one with shaved Lugs (randomized)
6 min. per stage, 5 min. rest period
Stance/ Swing cycle was observed (Casio EXFH20 210Hz)

11. Results No statistical significance was found in improving performance
10 of the 12 subjects did experience a greater running economy
Of those, 3 had a >3.9% improvement

12. Results Continued
Stance vs. Swing
Stance vs. Swing

13. Results Continued
Average RPE

14. Results Continued
AVG HR Start
AVG HR Finish

15. Discussion There was some improvement but why?
Can there be more improvement?

16. Future Work
Examine the biomechanics of the runners (heel striking vs. forefoot)
More subjects
How does it convert to performance

17. References
1 Newton Running. Available at 2 Stefanyshyn et. al. Energy Aspects Associated With Sport Shoes. Sportverletz Sportschaden [Pub Med] Available at 3 Frederick E C. Kinematically Mediated Effects of Sport Shoe Design: A Review. J Sports Sci [Pub Med] Available at 4 Frederick et. al. Lower Oxygen Demands of running in soft-soled shoes. Br J Sports Med [Pub Med] Available at 5 Yoder et. al. Differences in Plantar Loading Between Training Shoes and Racing Flats at a Self-selected Speed. Gait & Posture [Science Direct] Available at

18. Thank You