Design Summary and Analysis Draft 2

In the article “Smart Running Shoes: Will They Change The Way You Run”, Lin (2017) comment that the advancement of smart technology in running shoes can enhance user’s performance. In 2012, popular sport brands such as UnderArmour (UA) released their UA Speedform Gemini 2 smart shoes which display data such as muscle exhaustion, “cadence and pace” and monitor the “shoe’s mileage” through mobile apps like MapMyRun. In 2017, Altra smart shoes took it up a notch by not only making their footwear stylish but also sensors that can detect irregular foot patterns and warn users through their “built-in” sole voice assistant that will prevent runners from accumulative injuries. It also compromises breathability and feathery features of the shoe taking into account the technology it has. Smart running shoes do impose a change in running techniques to a certain extent, however, having one would not be a norm.

Dependence on smart shoes does not mean that every user will benefit from it. Each individual person has their own techniques in running and these shoes only cater to a specific technique embedded within the smart running shoes itself. Changing into these shoes would require the user to adjust instantly. Runners are prone to injuries when running methods are changed (Creveling,2019). Instead, runners should educate themselves on the proper running technique before proceeding for a run and plan for changes.

This can be made possible with the aid of a smartwatch. In the runner’s community, there is an excessive smartwatch user and this is due to abilities which overthrows smart shoes. Smartwatches does wonders despite the ability correct running techniques. According to Abrar (2020) “It can count steps, distance, calories, heart rate, pulse rate, sleep and some even go beyond this to calculate other important metrics you might need.” This proves that smart watches possess smart shoes function except for the ability to provide feedback on foot statistics. Thus, using a smartwatch would be feasible as compared to smart shoes.

In conclusion, a better choice for runners would be to pick smartwatches due its functions which is a cut above smart shoes technology.

References

Abrar. (2020). 9 Huge Advantages of Having a SmartWatch. https://www.smartgeekwrist.com/advantages-of-smart-watch/

Creveling. (2019)https://www.runnersworld.com/training/a26869369/should-you-change-your-running-form/

Lin. (2017) Smart Running Shoes: Will they change The Way You Run? Retrieved and adapted from https://www.runsociety.com/opinions/smart-running-shoes-will-they-change-the-way-you-run/