Changes in plantar loading based on shoe type and sex during a jump-landing task.
BACKGROUND
Metatarsal stress fractures are common in cleated-sport athletes. Previous authors have shown that plantar loading varies with footwear, sex, and the athletic task.


OBJECTIVE
To examine the effects of shoe type and sex on plantar loading in the medial midfoot (MMF), lateral midfoot (LMF), medial forefoot (MFF), middle forefoot (MidFF), and lateral forefoot (LFF) during a jump-landing task.


METHODS
Crossover study.


METHODS
Laboratory.


METHODS
Twenty-seven recreational athletes (14 men, 13 women) with no history of lower extremity injury in the last 6 months and no history of foot or ankle surgery.


METHODS
The athletes completed 7 jumping trials while wearing bladed-cleat, turf-cleat, and running shoes. Maximum force, contact area, contact time, and the force-time integral were analyzed in each foot region. We calculated 2 × 3 analyses of variance (α = .05) to identify shoe-condition and sex differences.


RESULTS
We found no shoe × sex interactions, but the MMF, LMF, MFF, and LFF force-time integrals were greater in men (P < .03). The MMF maximum force was less with the bladed-cleat shoes (P = .02). Total foot and MidFF maximum force was less with the running shoes (P < .01). The MFF and LFF maximum forces were different among all shoe conditions (P < .01). Total foot contact area was less in the bladed-cleat shoes (P = .01). The MMF contact area was greatest in the running shoes (P < .01). The LFF contact area was less in the running shoes (P = .03). The MFF and LFF force-time integrals were greater with the bladed-cleat shoes (P < .01). The MidFF force-time integral was less in the running shoes (P < .01).


CONCLUSIONS
Independent of shoe, men and women loaded the foot differently during a jump landing. The bladed cleat increased forefoot loading, which may increase the risk for forefoot injury. The type of shoe should be considered when choosing footwear for athletes returning to activity after metatarsal stress fractures.
Michael W. Krzyzewski Human Performance Research Laboratory, Doctor of Physical Therapy Division, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC.
Justin C
JC
Debiasio
Mary E
ME
Russell
Robert J
RJ
Butler
James A
JA
Nunley
Robin M
RM
Queen
D056352:Athletes; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot / Q000502:physiology*; D015775:Fractures, Stress / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008682:Metatarsal Bones / Q000293:injuries* / Q000502:physiology*; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology; D012737:Sex Factors; D012775:Shoes / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013177:Sports / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult