Optimal control simulation predicts effects of midsole materials on energy cost of running.

Testing sports equipment with athletes is costly, time-consuming, hazardous and sometimes impracticable. We propose a method for virtual testing of running shoes and predict how midsoles made of BOOST affect energy cost of running. We contribute a visco-elastic contact model and identified model parameters based on load-displacement measurements. We propose a virtual study using optimal control simulation of musculoskeletal models. The predicted reduction in energy cost of for BOOST in comparison to conventional materials is consistent with experimental studies. This indicates that the proposed method is capable of replacing experimental studies in the future.