For runners who care about improving performance and increasing safety,

these smart shoes just might be the answer.

And cutting-edge AI-driven analysis software is helping fitness instructors give their clients customized workouts

with detailed breakdowns of their strengths and weaknesses.

Today's On-Site Report features the latest develpments in fitness tech.

Kato Takuya has been running for nearly 3 decades and sometimes participates in major marathons.

At first glance, he's about to start his run with the basics - a pair of quality running shoes and a smartphone.

"Let's aim for another great run!"

"Don't force a longer stride."

"It's important to let it open up naturally with your whole body."

"Keep using good foot strikes."

"You're using your whole body well and maintaining good form."

Kato is wearing "smart shoes" that contain sensors imbedded in each sole.

Both sensors stream a broad range of data to a dedicated app Kato is using on his smartphone.

The app uses AI to analyze his performance data in real time and then provides him with advice and guidance as he runs.

"Focus on tightening the muscles in your torso and try running with a natural, slightly forward-leaning form."

When I first started running marathons, I often had pain in my left knee.

But since I started using this app, it feels much better.

Not only that, but my body as a whole feels great - and that really helps to keep me motivated.

The app presents the user with 12 different categories of useful information.

For example, it analyzes the runner's foot-strikes and gives them advice on how to improve their form

and lessen the impact on their bodies.

It can even determine the degree of a runner's ankle pronation -

the inward movement of the ankle as it rolls to distribute impact force.

The sensor, shoes, and app, were all developed by Kikukawa Yuya.

If shoes can help analyze individual running traits and tell athletes what they need to work on as well as how to prevent or avoid injury,

that can increase performance and improve the overall running experience.

Kikukawa's first foray into "smart shoe" making actually started with dance shoes.

He incorporated motion sensors into them as well,

but used them to let dancers program how their shoes emit light and sound in relation to their dance moves.

He made the switch to running shoes after a chance encounter with sprinter and three-time Olympian, Tamesue Dai.

I thought, if sensors could be used for gathering running data,

we could create something to help people with running issues to both recover and improve.

With Tamesue on board, the pair set out to develop a "smart shoe" for runners.

I think what makes our product stand out is that amateur athletes can now get access to the same type of data

and data analysis as top professional athletes.

They partnered with one of Japan's largest athletic footwear makers to handle data analysis.

Their data-base of running information gathered from over 10,000 athletes lets them provide feedback and advice to users.

One of the biggest challenges Kikukawa faced during development was data transmission from the sensors to the phone.

This is because the human body can block or interrupt radio waves.

He was able to solve the problem by changing the design of the sensors

as well as adapting the shoes so the sensors also emit radio waves from the sides.

The smart shoes were completed and ready for market in July of 2019.

A pair of shoes with 2 sensors costs about $260 dollars and includes access to the app.

To date, they've sold over 3000 pairs.

By incorporating IOT into fitness, we want to create a healthier, happier world.

I hope to continue using technology more and more in pursuit of this goal.

This fitness club has multiple locations spread across much of Japan.

Its instructors provide customized workout routines tailored to each client's body type and physical abilities.

Being able to do this properly requires lots of experience and a great deal of knowledge.

To provide support to the instructors, the fitness club is having them use this special app.

For example, after taking and uploading a photo of a female client, the software then analyzes her posture.

It then shows how far her knees, pelvis, shoulders, and ears deviate from an ideal posture and produces an evaluation score.

When viewed from the side, it shows that you have a slightly hunched posture, and your pelvis is tilted forward.

Without intervention, it's likely that your posture will worsen,

with your stomach protruding further and your slouch worsening.

In addition to using AI to analyze the client's current posture,

the application also predicts their future body shape and suggests various exercises for improvement.

"It really helps us to spot and diagnose issues a client may have that are difficult or impossible to spot with the naked eye."

"It can be really illuminating for both the instructor and the client once we can get an accurate measurement and analysis."

Takaku Yuuya is CEO of Sportip, the company that developed the app.

He wanted to create an app that would allow instructors with varying degrees of experience

to all be able to provide high quality feedback and coaching to their clients.

I think we've created a product that allows any level of instructor to provide top level-guidance

that in the past only the best of the best could offer.

In order to perfect the app, Takaku and his team spent 3 years conducting joint-research with Tsukuba University,

one of Japan's leading schools in the field of exercise physiology.

The app also offers a motion analysis function that can be used to capture specific body movements during exercise.

This allows instructors to point out improper form issues to their clients

and give more effective instruction on how to correct or improve their form when exercising.

"If you try to move with your ears, shoulders, and hips in alignment,

it will help you to strengthen the muscles around your lower back."

Since implementing the app, this fitness club has seen an increase in both customer satisfaction as well as retention rates.

Using this app has helped me to see some positive results,

so I'm really glad to be able to use it with my training.

In addition to the initial usage fee, here is cost breakdown for using the application.

To date, the application is currently being used at over 300 fitness clubs across Japan.

I hope that by providing quality support to fitness instructors,

I can contribute to the improved health of each and every one of their clients.