London Marathon runners will be able to select which shoes best enhance their performance thanks to a Lancaster University project using the latest motion capture technology.
Sports scientist Dr Hannah Jarvis has been working with the companies Sports Shoes and Qualisys Motion Capture Systems and Technology in order to create a 3D gait analysis of runners on an electronic treadmill.
Usually reserved for elite athletes, this world leading motion capture technology will be available to all runners for the first time thanks to Lancaster's partnership with Sports Shoes.
The company plans to open a pop-up shop on March 1 ahead of the London Marathon to enable customers to select the best shoe for them based on a gait analysis by Qualisys.
Dr Jarvis, lecturer in Biomechanics, said: "The idea is that runners can try different footwear on the treadmill to create gait analyses before and after running with different shoes, so the runner can choose the best shoe to improve their performance."
The technology involves eight motion cameras recording a runner's lower body movements to create a 3D video which is analysed by AI. The resulting report provides personalised information about an individual's running style.
Martin Lewis, Qualisys Sales Manager for the UK and Ireland, said: "Our world leading technology is usually reserved for high performance sports men and women, but this opens it up to all runners thanks to the university."
Georgia Malir is the Partnership coordinator for Sports Shoes.
"We're very excited to be able to bring this technology to our customers. It will give them more information so they will find it easier to find the perfect shoe and improve their performance."
Ellie Richards is among the Sports Science students who will be travelling to London to assist runners at the Sports Shoe pop up shop to undergo the gait analysis.
"It's great being able to have these opportunities especially because this technology is increasingly important in the world of running."
