The desire to improve the human body’s performance in sports is a catalyst for new inventions. In America, interest in the sport of running took off after the first Boston Marathon in 1897. Then, as now, runners used technology to stay competitive.

Running Shoes

Early running shoes were a lot like street shoes. Leather uppers and rubber soles made the shoes heavy and stiff. The modern running shoe took shape in the 1960s and 1970s, when running enthusiasts at shoe companies started experimenting with improved designs. For example, in 1977, Nike founder Bill Bowerman filed for a patent for his “waffle” sole, invented to provide greater traction, stability, and cushioning.

Nutritional Supplements

Athletes have always tried to improve performance by taking supplements. Iron was believed to build muscle and increase strength. Caffeine has replaced strychnine as an energy booster. Today, steroids are widely used to improve endurance. The effects of steroids and other drugs are cause for concern and regulation.

Until recently, athletes avoided drinking fluids during exercise because it can cause cramps and nausea. In 1965, researchers at the University of Florida School of Medicine invented the first sports drink, Gatorade, for the Gators football team. It's designed to replace electrolytes and maintain blood sugar, improving strength and endurance.

Monitoring Devices

Running at a pace of about 80 percent of your maximum heart rate makes the heart stronger and more efficient, and helps muscles pull more oxygen from the blood. A monitor can be used to target a heart-rate zone during training, ultimately improving the runner's pace.

In the future, runners may wear shirts like this "Smart Shirt" prototype. In addition to heart rate, the shirt monitors EKG, respiration, body temperature, and other vital signs.