"Women Run Different" 2007-old news perhaps

McConkey

http://www.asics.ie/asicsnews_women_run_different.html

"New ASICS’ pan-European campaign focuses on the specific needs of female athletes.

It was exactly 30 years ago, in 1977, that ASICS realized that “women run different” and was the first brand to introduce a running shoe with a specific women's last: the Tigress. Today, "Women Run Different" is the memorable headline for a pan-European ASICS campaign focusing on female running.

ASICS pioneered women’s shoe technology based on a commitment to bring out the best in all athletes. In 2007, ASICS has developed footwear with genderspecific midsole technology that lets female runners perform at their best, in all conditions.

The “ASICSwomen” campaign will further reinforce ASICS’ technological leadership. Portrait photography of ASICS athletes Emma Green, Anni Friesinger and Christine Arron will visually support the campaign. The facts speak for themselves: female athletes are twice as likely to suffer lateral knee injuries and kneecap damage. Female runners are also three times more susceptible to injuries to their buttocks and ten times more likely to receive lower back injuries.


Extensive ASICS research has proven startling differences between male and female athletes. The different running patterns, body shape and foot structure are responsible for the markedly different injuries to which female athletes are subject.

Physical differences between the sexes are extensive: Women have a wider pelvis than men and comparatively shorter upper legs. The result when running is that women's' hips and thighs tend to turn inwards and their legs take on an ‘X’ shape. This causes disproportional strains and impact on the hip, knee joints and lower back. In contrast to men, women's' knees tend to work too much as shock absorbers.
Furthermore, the female hormone, oestrogen, which varies during the monthly cycle, affects the laxity of female athletes' ligaments. This causes the arch of the foot to become flatter and less supportive during ovulation.

Given these differences, it's clear that women need different running shoes. Not miniature, pastel-shaded versions of men’s shoes, but made-to-measure equipment that takes into consideration the specific requirements of the female physiology.

ASICS engineers have equipped the women’s GEL-Kayano 13, GT-2120 and GEL-Nimbus VIII with the interactive ‘Space Trusstic’, a midsole enhancing system which has been specifically modified for the women’s version. In the female version it is providing more space between the midsole and foot arch than the men’s version. This extra space allows the arch to vary in height without affecting the stability and natural movement of the foot. Each of these models also features the Impact Guidance System (I.G.S.), a technical design philosophy that adapts to individual movements and running patterns. The different components of I.G.S., including the ‘Space Trusstic’, are completely geared to guide the foot perfectly, enabling the most natural movement possible. In 2007, ASICS is once again taking a pioneering route in translating female biochemical needs into superior, innovative products."




Didn't realise this about the runners at all (though the biomechanics bit seems quite plausible), complaining of my knees lately but not sure if it's a result of this. I do buy mens runners as most places don't stock my size, perhaps I should order womens runners online. Anyone here buy online?

Philosophress

Hi McConkey,

If it is just running shoes you are looking to buy then you shouldn't be restricted to just buying online. Most decent sport stores will stock a range of women's footwear and more so if they are a specialist running store. Some will even order your size for you if they don't have it in stock. Asics make their women's shoes up to size 7 1/2, Nike up to size 8 and Mizuno up to size 9.

That said, I tend to buy most of my running clothing online as the stores in this country stock a very limited range of women's apparel and what they do stock sells out almost immediately. I have also bought my spikes online for many years as I have yet to find anywhere in Ireland that stocks women's spikes (yes they do exist) or just spikes in my size.

For quick delivery times at reasonable prices, startfitness.co.uk is my current favourite (as long as you don't mind wearing last seasons colours that is).

McConkey

Hi Philosophress, thanks for your quick reply. Living in the west so Elverey's are the only people doing Asics Nimbus in Galway (I think), they don't do the ladies sizes over 8 however, even though Asics do make them (just realised I have posted in my log about the Nimbus-have had a couple of injuries this year and gait analysis has suggested this particular shoe-so sorry you wouldn't have known that).

I'd be a size 8 in a normal shoe but have bought men's runners the last couple of times. I've tried elvery's online, champion sports, lifestyle (in vivo and in silico ) also run4it who don't deliver to Ireland, Wiggle.co.uk who have none in my size and googled lots of other places

I'll take a look for them on your suggested site now, fingers crossed, thanks

rainbow kirby

Quite a few of the American sites do womens shoes up to a US size 11-12, which is size 9-10ish for us.

Didn't realise Asics only did up to a 7.5 in womens, I'm blessed then! I *do* take a 7.5 in most running shoes, and cannot wear mens shoes due to having very narrow feet.

McConkey

Asics do the Nimbus at least up to size 9, its just that a lot of stores don't get in anything over an 8. Run4it, a running shop based in Scotland have the Nimbus in a 9 but won't deliver to Ireland.

It would be nice to try on the shoe before buying-but seems to be impossible as nobody around here stocks the size. I am comfortable in a men's Euro 41.5 in Asics and lots of room in a Nike men's Euro 42 so if I knew what exactly that was in a women's maybe I could chance it, shame they don't stock though....my poor big feet

rainbow kirby

I think a 42 is a womens size 9.

McConkey

I would normally take a size 41 which this chart says is a mens 7.5 and womens 7:

http://www.i18nguy.com/l10n/shoes.html

this suggests the size 42 mens is 8 or a 7.5 in ladies...now I always thought I ws a UK size 8 or just a little below when I was wearing a size 41 but this say 41 is a ladies 7...I can't figure this out, guess thats why you can't beat trying them on

rainbow kirby

That's weird... my Caterpillar boots that I'm wearing at the moment are marked as EU 40/UK women 7/UK men 6...

Trying stuff on seems to be the only way to go!

McConkey

rainbow kirby wrote: »

That's weird... my Caterpillar boots that I'm wearing at the moment are marked as EU 40/UK women 7/UK men 6...

Trying stuff on seems to be the only way to go!

See that's what I mean, I though 41=8...so now it seems it depends on the company making them (though I have noticed Dunnes with 7.5 written on size 41 shoes lately I think-was happy to drop a half size!

* wanders off, cursing giant feet *