Sands, W. A., McNeal, J. R., Henderson, H. L., & Poole, R. C. (1999). Performance enhancement via warm-up with the strength shoe in women's track and field. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 31(5), Supplement abstract 374.

This study investigated the effect of using a strength shoe during warm-up on sprint and jumping performance. Female collegiate athletes (N = 12) were divided into strength-shoe and control groups. Performance tasks were a 20-m flying sprint and vertical jump.

Athletes performed a self-selected general warm-up for 15 minutes followed by 10 double-leg bounds, 10 single-leg bounds on each leg, and 10 vertical jumps. The strength shoe group wore the shoes and the control group wore normal shoes. It was found that warming-up in strength shoes did not improve performance.

Implication. Strength shoes do not benefit performance if used during warm-ups.

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