MIZUNO BIOGEAR SONIC LD, the tights that enhance running economy
There is no end to the desire to run “just a little faster.” This is true not only for long-distance runners competing in the Ekiden (a long-distance relay race) and marathons, but also for amateur runners who run as a hobby. Moreover, with the emergence of thick-soled shoes, the idea that “there are items that can make me run faster once I put it on” has gradually begun to take root within the consciousness of all types of runners.
The fashion style for runners is gradually moving away from conventional running shorts and running shirts, toward the recent trend of wearing mid-length tights in place of running shorts. However, until now, “tights that helps the wearer to run faster” have never existed.
Long-distance running performance is determined by three elements: maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max), lactate threshold, and running economy that indicates how low the energy consumption (oxygen consumption) a runner can run at a certain speed for. Among these, running economy is the only parameter that changes when improvements are made to the way a body moves. Improving this enhances the maximum sustainable running speed, and ultimately improves a runner’s time.*1
*1 “How biomechanical improvements in running economy could break the 2-hour marathon barrier” Sports Med. 2017 Sep;47(9):1739-1750. by Hoogkamer W, Kram R, and Arellano CJ.
In light of this, Mizuno started to develop tights that enhance running economy. We took three approaches to the development, and have successfully commercialized the resulting product.
1.Design development that “revisits the old to learn something new”
The design minimizes muscle vibration, suppressing muscle movement effectively with technology that partially increases clothing pressure, and thereby reducing burden on the muscles when running. In addition, the pelvic support design stabilizes the trunk and maintains a slight forward lean to enhance running stability, achieving an efficient running form. Through fabric that stretches effectively in all directions and patented adhesive technology, we achieved a balance between ease of movement and fabric that offers support while reducing the number of parts that need to be sewn. Mizuno has accumulated much design and technological knowhow through long years of research and development, and we have applied this knowledge to the design and development of this product.
2.Scientific proof of functionality
With the cooperation of 18 university runners as our test subjects, we conducted scientific validation of the functionality of these tights. The results confirmed that wearing the tights reduced oxygen consumption during running by approximately 2.4% (when running on a treadmill at 16 km/h). Based on these results, a runner who runs for 10 km at 30 minutes 00 seconds could theoretically*2 run the same distance at approximately 29 minutes 27 seconds by wearing the tights, achieving a record improvement of approximately 33 seconds.
*2 Calculated based on the formula presented in the following paper: V ̇O_2 ((mL O_2⁄kg)⁄min)=5.7+9.8158V+0.0537V^3. V ̇O_2 is oxygen consumption, and V is running speed (m/s). This formula was derived based on data measured when 10 Kenyan marathon runners ran at an altitude of 2,000 m or higher. The record improvement of approximately 33 seconds is ultimately a calculated figure and does not guarantee that a runner will run faster in reality.
“A Comparison of the Energetic Cost of Running in Marathon Racing Shoes” Sports Med. 2018 Apr;48(4):1009-1019. by Hoogkamer W, Kipp S, Frank JH, Farina EM, Luo G, and Kram R.
3.Co-creation with university Ekiden runners
In determining the specifications of the final product, we monitored and conducted repeated surveys and interviews with runners from university Ekiden teams. Based on feedback from more than 100 runners, we made numerous adjustments to the tightening force for pelvic support, tightening force for minimizing muscle vibration, and the sewing positions. The result is a highly perfected product that can satisfy even Ekiden runners.
The product completed through the three development approaches described above was launched as the MIZUNO BIOGEAR SONIC LD in August 2021. It was very well received, and the second model BIOGEAR SONIC EVO was launched in August 2022.
BIOGEAR SONIC EVO
Item number: U2MB2531
BIOGEAR SONIC EVO EKIDEN MODEL
Item number: U2MB2530
Starting with two runners wearing this product at the Hakone Ekiden in 2021, the number of users increased to nine runners (the largest number among tights wearers) in 2023. Furthermore, in the All-Japan High School Ekiden Championship in 2022, it was worn by 11 male runners and five female runners. We believe the increase in the number of wearers among Ekiden competitors can be attributed to a real sense that “if I wear MIZUNO BIOGEAR SONIC LD, I will be able to run faster.”
We will continue to develop the MIZUNO BIOGEAR SONIC LD going forward, such as with the launch of new colors in April 2023.
Mizuno aims to continue supporting the sporting activities by offering better sporting goods in the future.
