From biomechanical lab data to marathon-ready comfort — how the Proto Runner was tested, refined, and validated at the Swiss Olympic Medical Center.
Performance is how running feels, rather than a matter of speed or distance. Every stride should be lighter, more fluid, and sustainable, and the development of the Proto Runner 1 is a reflection of this. At ena, we didn’t want to simply engineer a fast shoe. We wanted to create one that could be trusted by runners across the performance spectrum. Thus, we needed to put the shoe through rigorous scientific testing.
That’s why we turned to Hôpital de La Tour in Geneva, one of Switzerland’s top private hospitals and a certified Swiss Olympic Medical Center. Known for its cutting-edge Movement Analysis Laboratory, La Tour is where some of the world’s most elite athletes go for injury prevention and performance diagnostics.
Under the direction of François Fourchet, PT, PhD, and in close collaboration with Dr. Boris Gojanovic, Sports Physician and President of the Sport & Exercise Medicine Society Switzerland, and Mr. Guillaume Servant, Physiotherapist and Sports Scientist, our Proto Runner 1 underwent a series of biomechanical and comfort evaluations: pressure-sensitive treadmill tests, speed trials, and comfort perception scoring, among others.
One core innovation at the heart of these results? AXICORE. Our sculpted under-arch architecture that balances midfoot freedom, natural propulsion, and load-sensitive stability. The La Tour team paid particular attention to how this feature impacted force distribution, cadence, and stride consistency across various speeds.
Key insights from the Lab: An interview with François Fourchet, PT, PhD – Hôpital de La Tour
The power of a tailored approach
“Our goal is to understand how each runner distributes mechanical load and how footwear either supports or disrupts that balance. It’s never one-size-fits-all.”
Most running injuries, François notes, stem from training errors, suboptimal technique, or muscular imbalances. At the Movement Analysis Lab, each runner is assessed holistically, not just for performance, but also for how well their gear, including footwear, aligns with their individual biomechanics.
Why lab testing beats guesswork
“Certain biomechanical loads may not be perceptible to the runner, but they can be risk factors. That’s why objective validation matters.”
Using a treadmill with 12,000 pressure sensors, the lab measures cadence, stride length, ground contact time, and zone-specific load distribution. This uncovers protective or risky pressure patterns — even when runners feel “normal” — allowing for precise tuning of footwear benefits.
What makes Proto Runner 1 and AXICORE stand out
“What’s striking with the Proto Runner 1 is the way it changes intrinsic variables like flight time and ground reactivity, without altering stride mechanics.”
The Proto Runner 1 maintained cadence across all tested speeds while enhancing stride length and reducing heel impact, which is a critical factor for long-distance runners. Runners reported superior comfort and stability, particularly in the heel and midfoot, attributing much of it to Axicore’s sculpted geometry.
This subtle “gap” beneath the arch offers morphological adaptability, targeted stiffness, and energy-efficient transitions. Despite its radical design, Axicore preserves pressure distribution and delivers a natural and responsive ride.
Athlete feedback and data in harmony
“We’re not only looking at numbers. We’re also listening to the athlete. When both perspectives align, you know you have something special.”
In this case, the alignment was clear. Runners reported comfort and control, while biomechanical data showed improvements in cadence stability, heel protection, and ground reactivity. Axicore’s midfoot design delivered a rare combination of feeling both supported and free, enabling propulsion without constraint.
The future is personalized and adaptive
“The running shoe of the future will be intelligent, by adapting in real-time through embedded sensors. But it still has to feel right.”
François envisions a future where AI-driven biomechanics and real-time data shape footwear design. But comfort and natural movement remain paramount. The Proto Runner 1’s ability to enhance performance without altering the runner’s natural gait is a meaningful step in that direction.
The Proto Runner 1 is a fast shoe and a clinically validated tool for natural, efficient, and injury-conscious running. Built with aerodynamic geometry, carbon-infused propulsion, and a pressure-diffusing AXICORE midfoot chassis, it balances performance and protection in ways few shoes do.
More importantly, it does so without compromising comfort, mechanical integrity, or adaptability. Whether you’re training for a marathon or looking to stay injury-free on your daily 5km, the Proto Runner 1 meets you where you are and helps you move forward.
As François Fourchet puts it: “When a runner says the shoe feels like their own, but the data says they’re running better. That’s when we know we’ve succeeded.”
With gratitude to Dr. Boris Gojanovic and Mr. Guillaume Servant, whose expertise and involvement were essential in the testing and validation of the Proto Runner 1.