Cluster analysis to identify possible subgroups in recreational runners and their preferred running shoes characteristics

Abstract

Typically, competitive and recreational runners can be differentiate based on their performance and running experience (Clermont et al., 2019). However, less distinction could be made with regards to the subgroups in recreational runners. This is because their running experience, performance and even their training activity are varied and largely different between one another. Identification of the subgroups in recreational runners is important to help identify their specific needs, for example the right training for each subgroups. In addition, the aspect of shoes selection could also benefits from this segmentation in recreational runners. For many runners, subjective characteristics such as shoes fitting and a much specific parameter such as the mechanical characteristics of the shoes, namely the cushioning and shock absorbency performance, are important in finding suitable shoes. It is still unclear if these preference of shoes characteristics are different in between subgroups of recreational runners.