by admin on April 19, 2010
The history of Adidas began in 1924 when two German brothers started the company selling mens trainers. The original name of the brand was Dassler shoes and become known after its shoes were worn in the Olympics. The popularity was so great that the company’s growth was due largely in part to the demand of other athletes to sport the brand.
As with everything, nothing lasts forever and in 1948, one of the brothers left and started his own company to compete with Adidas. This is actually when the Adidas company acquired the now well-known name. Another change that came with this was the look of the product by adding the three stripes. These stripes were originally added to the design for stability and ultimately became the logo.
The company thrived for many years due to the demand of the product created by the athletes who wore them. In 1978, when the founder died, the history of Adidas began to change but the company remained family owned when his widow took over the company. Six years later, she died and her son took over the business until his death.
After the death of the Dassler family, Adidas began to experience financial troubles and was in danger of failing. A new owner stepped in and with some creative marketing was able to put Adidas brand right back on top. Athletes were no longer the only ones seeking Adidas products, entertainers and other celebrities began endorsing the products, keeping the brand a household name.
All companies get started somewhere with as little as just a nagging idea that entrepreneurs see the value in before anyone else. The history of Adidas is quite a colorful one when the thought that a single product could be so valuable. Companies are always coming up with some new product that everyone has to have and Adidas trainers are always on that list.
by admin on March 31, 2010
What running shoes do you choose when you want to go fast? According to a study of marathon runners, it may not be the shoe so much as the running technique used that determines your finishing time. Could it be that the best running shoes for speed may be one that encourages a runner to land flat-footed?
Biomechanical researcher, Benno Nigg, did a study on running technique in the 1980s. Runners were videotaped while they ran two marathons. The foot strike of the runners was later analyzed. A clear majority of the marathon participants favored landing heel first.
This is not surprising. New runners are introduced to the sport through learn to run clinics held at local running stores. As a result, the ‘proper’ running technique mantra of a new runner quickly becomes “heel-toe, heel-toe”. Running shoes with a lot of cushion in the heel encourage the wearer to land heel first. These ‘shock absorber’ running shoes with padded, re-inforced heels make up the bulk of the running shoe market.
This is not a criticism of learn to run clinics; far from it. People, who are introduced to running in a fun, supportive atmosphere, do have a much higher likelihood of success. Starting an exercise program of any kind can be tough. Graduates of these learn to run clinics race anywhere from a 5km up to a marathon. Pretty impressive considering many may not have even run before in their lives.
However, taking a second look at the runners in the study, we can find another pattern. Less than half of the elite runners used the heel toe strike. In other words, runners whose times were faster than a 5 ½ minute mile pace preferred a mid foot strike.
This would suggest that if you want to run a marathon, go ahead, and use the heel first school of running. When you decide you want to run faster and improve your time, consider a change in technique. Starting with a change in shoes. Choosing from among the brands with less of a heel will almost certainly demand a mid foot strike. Don’t worry, whatever you may lose in height you’ll more than make up for when standing on the winners’ podium!