title: Plantar pressure asymmetry and risk of stress injuries in the foot of young soccer players.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Asymmetries in the magnitude of plantar pressure are considered a risk factor for stress fracture of the fifth metatarsal in soccer athletes.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the presence of plantar pressure asymmetries among young soccer athletes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Observational.
  
  
  METHODS
  Laboratory.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty young adolescents divided into a soccer player group (n = 15) or a matched control group (n = 15).
  
  
  METHODS
  Mean plantar pressure was determined for seven different regions of the foot. Data were compared between the preferred and non-preferred foot, and between the groups, during barefoot standing on a pressure mat system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Higher pressure was found in the hallux, 5th metatarsal and medial rearfoot of the non-preferred foot in the young soccer players. These asymmetries were not observed in the control group. Magnitudes of plantar pressure did not differ between the groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Young soccer players present asymmetries in plantar pressure in the hallux, 5th metatarsal and medial rearfoot, with higher pressure observed in the non-preferred foot.
authors.affiliation: Applied Neuromechanics Research Group, Faculty of Health Sciences, Federal University of Pampa, Uruguaiana, RS, Brazil; Graduate Program in Physical Education, Physical Education and Sports Centre, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Renato R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Azevedo
authors.affiliation: Applied Neuromechanics Research Group, Faculty of Health Sciences, Federal University of Pampa, Uruguaiana, RS, Brazil; Graduate Program in Physical Education, Physical Education and Sports Centre, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Emmanuel S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: da Rocha
authors.affiliation: Applied Neuromechanics Research Group, Faculty of Health Sciences, Federal University of Pampa, Uruguaiana, RS, Brazil; Graduate Program in Physical Education, Physical Education and Sports Centre, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Pedro S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Franco
authors.affiliation: Applied Neuromechanics Research Group, Faculty of Health Sciences, Federal University of Pampa, Uruguaiana, RS, Brazil; Graduate Program in Physical Education, Physical Education and Sports Centre, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil. Electronic address: carpes@unipampa.edu.br.
authors.forename: Felipe P
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Carpes
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D018409:Foot Injuries / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015775:Fractures, Stress / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D011187:Posture; D011312:Pressure; D012307:Risk Factors; D012775:Shoes; D012916:Soccer / Q000293:injuries*
keywords: Fifth metatarsal; Foot; Plantar pressure; Soccer