Title: Different soccer stud configurations effect on running and cutting movements

Authors: Dong Sun; Yaodong Gu; Qichang Mei; Julien S. Baker

Addresses: Faculty of Sports Science, Ningbo University, Zhejiang Sheng, China; Research Academy of Grand Health, Ningbo University, Zhejiang Sheng, China ' Faculty of Sports Science, Ningbo University, Zhejiang Sheng, China; Research Academy of Grand Health, Ningbo University, Zhejiang Sheng, China ' Faculty of Sports Science, Ningbo University, Zhejiang Sheng, China; Research Academy of Grand Health, Ningbo University, Zhejiang Sheng, China ' School of Science and Sport, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley PA1 2BE, UK

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to test for differences in performance and injury risks between three different outsole configuration soccer shoes on natural turf. A total of 14 experienced soccer players participated in the tests. Participants were asked to complete tasks of straight-ahead running and 45° left sidestep cutting respectively at the speed of 5.0±0.2 m/s on natural turf. They selected soccer shoes with firm ground design (FG), artificial ground design (AG) and turf cleats (TF) randomly. During 45° cut, FG showed significantly smaller peak knee flexion and greater abduction angles than TF. FG showed significant greater peak horizontal ground reaction force (GRF) and average required traction ratio compared with AG and TF. FG may offer a performance benefit on artificial turf compared to AG and TF on natural turf. However, increased knee valgus angle and decreased knee flexion angle of FG may increase knee loading and risk of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. Higher vertical average loading rate and excessive plantar pressure of FG may also resulted in calluses observed in plantar skin, forefoot pain or even metatarsal stress fracture. In summary, FG would enhance athletic performance on natural turf, but also may undertake higher risks of non-contact injuries compared with AG and TF.

Keywords: stud configurations; running; cutting; natural turf.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBET.2017.083814

International Journal of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, 2017 Vol.24 No.1, pp.19 - 32

Received: 16 Feb 2016
Accepted: 11 Apr 2016
Published online: 24 Apr 2017 *

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