With less than two month to go before We Run KL 21K takes place on 1 February 2015, Nike Malaysia has recently set up a pre-race expo at Taman Botanical Perdana (previously known as Taman Tasik Perdana) in Kuala Lumpur. What made it slightly different than previous pre-race event that Nike or even many organizers out there have organized is that it features quite a number of interesting scientific tools for visitors to utilize especially for We Run KL participants in order to prepare them for the upcoming half-marathon.
One such example is the Foot Scan Analysis area where visitors are able to learn about the type of their foot which subsequently allows them to select running shoes that are appropriate for their foot. This test is done using a pressure plate that capture the surface of visitor’s foot when they run over the plate. Once the captured data are analysed, visitors will be able to see if their foot have normal, flat or high arch.
Another tool that Nike Malaysia has made available at the on-going We Run KL expo is located at the Foot Gait Analysis area which visitors are able to find out how their foot pronate during a run. In order to do that, visitors are asked to briefly run on treadmill while expo personnel captures their motion using a specialized app on an iPad.
The app will then churn out a slow-motion video that would allow visitors to see the angle of their feet during run which will be highlighted by expo personnel on duty. Just like the previous foot type analysis, the foot gait analysis is able to help visitors to choose the best running shoes that suit the type of pronation that their foot have.
Meanwhile, there also several advanced scientific tools present at the expo which was made possible due to a collaboration between Nike Malaysia and Universiti Malaya. It is indeed not often that you are able to experience these tools outside of research labs such as Nike’s own Sport Research Lab at its World Headquarters in Oregon, United States.
One of them is the biomechanics motion capture system which is used to capture one’s full body movements and convert them into 3D model. This particular system is usually utilized by athletes to analyse their techniques and body position in order to help them further improve their performance or prevent injuries.
Visitors are also able to determine their level of fitness through two VO2Max test that Universiti Malaya has brought to the expo. The first being the Sub VO2Max test which is done at 75% of the subject’s predicted maximum heart rate and requires visitors to cycle on a stationary bicycle while wearing heart rate sensor.
The second VO2Max test is much more intense as it is done using treadmill and is meant to determine visitors’ ability to endure exercise at very high level as well as their threshold. Worry not though as each of these test station are manned by the expo staff members that will be on hand to monitor and consult visitors as they go through these tests.
Not to forget, visitors are also able to learn about Nike’s own digital tools at the expo which include the Nike+ Sportwatch GPS as well as Nike+ Running GPS and Nike+ Training Club. If you like what you have seen here and wish to experience the Nike We Run KL expo yourself, just make your way to the canopy area of Taman Botanical Perdana which is located across the road from Tugu Negara in Kuala Lumpur before it concludes on this Sunday, 21 December at 7pm.
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