Top Olympic athletes will be relying on a new type of scientifically tuned running shoe to help them set records at the Sydney Games this year. Reigning 100 metre champion Donovan Bailey will be wearing the energy conserving shoes when he defends his title. The German company Adidas-Salomon AG has the rights to the new technology in which conventional materials have been altered to reduce vibrations and energy loss.

By manipulating the viscosity, elasticity and stiffness of the sole of a running shoe, the researchers believe athletic performances can be improved by up to four per cent - the same as slicing five minutes off the time of a top marathon runner.

Thirty top athletes who tested the shoes improved their performance by an average of 1.8 per cent. They may also help to reduce wear and tear on legs caused by repetitive training and may be adapted to make walking less tiring.