Abstract
Background: A football (soccer) boot is the most crucial equipment for soccer players and has two primary functions, performance enhancement and injury prevention. Additionally, it acts as an interface between the player's foot and the playing surface and between the player's foot and the ball. A good fit between soccer boots and foot morphology could be significant in injury prevention strategies. However, only a few studies have investigated the soccer boot's suitability to the foot type of the intended user.
Methodology. A cross-sectional design study in which data were collected from professional and university soccer players during two phases. Phase one was completing a questionnaire to generate a player profile. Phase two involved scanning each participant's feet using a 3D scanner that enabled the capture of the foot morphology profile for each player.
Results. Data were analysed from 176 soccer players, 67% (n=125) professional and 33% (n=52) university players. Their mean age was 25.09 and 20.21, respectively, with mean playing years of 6.75 and 2.71. The findings showed that 92% of players had areas of discomfort and reduced fitting with their current boot. Players identified the toe box (94%), arch area (77%) and boot length (18%) as areas of discomfort and poor fitting. Most (93.5%) of professional players used different boots or footwear for competing and when training. In contrast, 78.8% of university players used the same boot for competing and training. Foot measurements revealed some statistical variations between the right and left foot. These were noted in the foot length and width (p=0.001), right foot arch index (p=0.003) and no significance in the left foot arch index (p=0.063). Foot-boot measurements revealed significant variations between soccer boots and foot dimensions. These were boot length, right foot (p=0.001), left (p=0.002), foot-boot width, right foot (p=0.019) and left foot (p=0.032).
Conclusion. The findings show a significant difference between the soccer boots and foot morphology of this study’s participants. Players confirmed discomfort with the competition boots. These areas included the forefoot, arch and toes. Discomfort in any footwear is associated with poor fit. The finding on discomfort and the analysed 3D data indicate that professional and university soccer players use boots unsuitable for their foot morphology. A 3D-designed soccer boot could still be out of reach for most study participants due to finances and the availability of technology in South Africa. Also, soccer boots designers and manufacturers are situated abroad, which could make it a prolonged process to lobby for the inclusion of a small soccer market. However, the data generated in this study could be used by the players, coaching staff, and clinicians. Currently, 3D-designed soccer boots are not available in South Africa. Data and knowledge of foot morphology could assist players, coaches, and clinicians select soccer boots that closely match players' foot types. It can also assist players in engaging with the
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sponsors on the availability of more suitable soccer boots. They can use this data to inform soccer boot selection and discussions with their sponsors to look at the possibility of getting better-fitting soccer boots. The findings highlight a need to consider foot morphology when selecting a soccer boot to match the boot to the foot type.