Q: Could you briefly introduce yourself and your professional background?
A: I had the privilege of teaching at the German Sports University in Cologne starting in 1994. I headed the Institute of Biomechanics and Orthopaedics from 2000 until my retirement in 2017. Parallel to my academic teaching and research, I worked closely with running and shoe companies because there is a significant interest in biomechanics on how to alter, manipulate, and modify the loads that particularly interest us. The shoe plays a crucial role in this context, just like a bicycle or the pole in pole vaulting. Especially the shoe, which we wear daily and need for most sports, plays a vital role.
Q: Can you discuss your collaborations with shoe companies and the impact on your research?
A: I had the privilege of starting my collaborations with ASICS in Japan, where we created the first innovations in the area of modern sports shoes. This was followed by nearly ten years with Nike, where we developed the Nike Free among other projects. This phase was very exciting, especially participating in the innovation labs at Nike and being able to introduce some really out-there ideas. Although, not all ideas might have been implemented, one successful outcome was the launch of Nike Free, significantly influenced by the fundamental research done in Cologne. After Nike, I moved to Brooks in Seattle, where we also invented great, new models and tried to validate them.
Q: Can you elaborate on the shift of focus, after your tenure at Nike, and your subsequent move?
A: After Nike, the path led me north to Brooks, which was already a running shoe manufacturer at that time. There I reunited with André Krivett, who had worked as a developer at Nike and then at Brooks. We tried to focus more on the technical factors again, instead of performance. However, in 2017, as I reached retirement age and my contracts ended, I had to evaluate, if I had achieved all the goals I had planned for my life. One realization was, that we had not succeeded in developing a shoe, reducing injuries, which was a major goal.
Q: What led to the creation of TrueMotion, and what were your objectives with this new venture?
A: After many years of learning and research, André Krivett and I, along with Christian Ahrens—who understood the financial aspects— decided to establish TrueMotion. We founded TrueMotion to fundamentally address injury prevention, particularly focusing on knee injuries, by employing a new approach to how shoes are designed and validated.
Q: Could you elaborate on the evolution of running shoe design and the shift in focus from impact reduction to addressing knee stress?
A: Initially, running shoes were developed to protect runners from impacts and forces exerted on their joints while running. Efforts were made over the years to reduce this impact, but as early as 2000, scientific evidence indicated that this impact wasn’t harmful and couldn’t be altered by footwear. The paradigm then shifted to pronation control or motion control, assuming inward tilting during standing was detrimental, despite lacking empirical support. This concept was derived from theoretical orthopedic considerations. However, this paradigm was also debunked in 2017. We realized the need to identify the actual sources of injury to prevent them effectively. It became evident that knee stress was a primary concern. So, the question became, how can we control the parameters that stress the knee? Ultimately, it boiled down to minimizing rotational and adduction moments. This became relatively straightforward once we found the right technology for validation.
Q: Could you describe the typical shoe development process at TrueMotion?
A: The development process at TrueMotion is rigorous and iterative. We start with an idea or concept, which is then crafted into a prototype. This prototype undergoes biomechanical laboratory tests to ensure that the concept works—specifically, that it can effectively center forces and propel them forward, which is critical for reducing knee strain. If lab results are promising, the design is refined and produced in small batches for further testing. This meticulous process ensures that each shoe model not only meets, but exceeds our biomechanical standards, before reaching consumers.
Q: How is model validation and measurement technology integral to your work at TrueMotion?
A: At TrueMotion, the validation of our shoe models is crucial, involving precise and accurate measurement technologies. We utilize high-precision instruments such as force measurement platforms, motion capture cameras, and pressure distribution systems. These technologies are vital for determining the exact Center of Pressure and its trajectory through the foot during motion. It’s essential for us to ensure that the forces are centralized correctly to minimize the leverage on the knee, which directly impacts the reduction of injury risks.
Q: What challenges do you face with current measurement technologies, and how do you foresee improvements?
A:The precision and accuracy of our measurement tools are paramount. While current technologies allow us to gather a vast amount of data, the challenge remains in their application outside the lab—in real running environments like tracks or parks. We need to measure with great precision, not in meters or centimeters but down to the millimeter. This level of detail is crucial to understand the biomechanics accurately. Moving forward, enhancing the possibility of measuring with systems in natural settings remains a key focus.
Q: What future developments do you foresee in biomechanics and shoe technology?
A: Our future focus at TrueMotion will continue to prioritize biological and biomechanical principles in shoe design. We’re looking into more anatomically inspired designs, such as shoes that incorporate ‘anatomical tubes’ to better mimic and support natural foot movements. This approach differs significantly from competitors who tend to stiffen certain areas of the shoe. Our goal is to continue enhancing the way shoes interact with the human body – aiming for a design, that reduces muscle strain and optimizes force application throughout the foot.