Carbon plates inserted in competitive running shoes have been increasingly used in the past 2-3 years and several investigations have shown that these plates increase the longitudinal bending stiffness (LBS) of the shoe. It leads to a redistribution of muscle work and to a modification of the force generation conditions, which may reduce the energy cost of running (Cr) and improve performance.

Only one study has investigated the effects of LBS in running bouts longer than 8 minutes but on the biomechanics part, and their effects on neuromuscular fatigue and prolonged running performance. The aim of this study is to compare shoes with and without carbon plates during a prolonged (21 km) running exercise on Cr, plantar flexor neuromuscular fatigue and running kinetics and kinematics to estimate the changes high-LBS may induce on fatigue and subsequent performance.

Inclusion Criteria:

• aged ≥ 18 and ≤ 50 years.
• men
• experienced, well-trained endurance runners with the capacity to run 21km in less than 1h 40 and who train more than 5h a week.
• free from muscular, bone or joint injuries
• free from neurologic disease
• approval received from a physician

Exclusion Criteria:

• currently participating in a structured exercise program
• injury in the 3 months prior to the protocol
• chronic joint pathologies (e.g.: repetitive sprains, patellar or ligament problems)
• the intake of corticosteroids within 3 months (inhalation, infiltration or history of prolonged corticosteroid therapy).