The impact of Advanced Footwear Technology on physical, physiological, biomechanical, and perception outcomes: a systematic review

INTRODUCTION: The development of Advanced Footwear Technology (AFT) has introduced significant changes in the realm of athletic footwear, promising enhancements in running economy and reductions in energy cost compared to traditional shoes. This systematic review aims to analyze and synthesize the existing literature on AFT, focusing on its physical, physiological, biomechanical, and perceptual impacts on athletic performance. It seeks to identify key findings, variability, and implications for athletes by comparing AFT to traditional footwear. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: Following the PRISMA 2015 guidelines for systematic reviews, a comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Titles, abstracts, and full texts were analyzed based on predefined inclusion criteria to find relevant studies. The methodological quality of the selected studies was also assessed. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Nine studies (N.=138 participants) were included, with an average methodological quality score of 6.22 (range: 5 to 8) on a 10-point scale. AFT was found to improve biomechanical aspects, which were associated with enhanced running efficiency, and reduce metabolic energy expenditure. However, improve biomechanical aspects, which were associated with enhanced running efficiency. CONCLUSIONS: AFT offers significant performance and biomechanical benefits, but its physiological effects vary, and potential injury risks such as altered lower-limb stiffness and increased joint load require careful management. Personalized approaches to footwear technology are crucial to maximizing AFT's benefits.