Athletic footwear has entered a new era of ambition. No longer content to promise just comfort or performance, Nike claims its shoes can activate the brain , heighten sensory awareness, and even improve concentration by stimulating the bottom of your feet. "By studying perception, attention, and sensory feedback, we're tapping into the brain-body connection in new ways," said Nike's chief science officer, Matthew Nurse, in the company's press release for the shoes. "It's not just about running