[A one year aging process of a soccer shoe does not increase plantar loading of the foot during soccer specific movements].
BACKGROUND
Excessive loading of the plantar surface of the foot has been considered as a possible cause for overuse injuries in soccer. The question arises whether this excessive loading may be reduced by the use of cushioning insoles in a soccer shoe.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the influence of a controlled aging process on the loading pattern of the foot inside a soccer shoe.


METHODS
11 experienced soccer players wore a soccer shoe for one year on a regular basis during training sessions and games. After this period, three different aging conditions (old shoe with old insole, old shoe with new insole and new shoe with new insole) were tested during different soccer specific movements regarding plantar loading characteristics using an insole pressure distribution system (Pedar, Novel GmbH, Munich).


RESULTS
The comparison between the three different aging conditions showed no consistent results for the parameters peak pressures and relative loads for 10 different foot areas. A trend towards slightly reduced peak pressures was found for characteristic loading zones during side-cutting and kicking. On the other hand, slightly increased peak pressures were found during running and sprinting after using a new insole or a new shoe. No consistent results were found for the relative loads between conditions.


CONCLUSIONS
The hypothesis of a load reduction after introducing a new insole or a new shoe could not be confirmed. The aging process appears to be influenced by different factors like material properties, form changes or individual adaptation processes.
Eils
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E
Funktionsbereich Bewegungsanalytik, Klinik und Poliklinik für Allgemeine Orthopädie, Universitätsklinikum Münster. eils@uni-muenster.de
Streyl
M
M
D000328:Adult; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D005528:Foot / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D011312:Pressure; D012775:Shoes; D012916:Soccer / Q000502:physiology*; D019876:Sports Equipment; D013997:Time Factors; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology*