Influence of Footwear on Posture and Comfort in Elite Rugby Players.

Influence of footwear on posture in athletes is poorly documented despite its potential impact on biomechanics and injury risk. The aim of this study was to investigate effects of different footwear geometries on comfort and posture on a cohort of 48 elite rugby players. Spine posture was characterized by photogrammetry, while center of pressure was measured by means of a force platform. Three different footwear outsoles architectures (one rugby shoe with flat outsole, one rugby shoe with a 10 mm heel rise and foot arch support, and a running shoe with a 10mm heel rise and foot arch support) were compared to non-shod in randomized order. Then comfort felt at the level of foot and spine was also estimated by subjective questionnaires. Compared to the flat rugby model, both other models induced significantly (p<0.05) greater comfort at the level of foot and spine, a slight shift toward of center of pressure and a spinal posture closer to that observed when non-shod. The footwear geometry influences comfort and posture at the level of the foot as well as spine and should be considered in a dual purpose of injury prevention and performance.

Current Soccer Footwear, Its Role in Injuries and Potential for Improvement.

Soccer is the most popular sport in the world and generates great financial revenue. It is also a sport whose practice has evolved considerably in terms of intensity and commitment, and in which the intrinsic risk of injury (not directly related to an interaction with the environment) is particularly high. In this context, the cleated shoe as a major component of soccer equipment may play a key role in the overexposure to injury. Soccer shoe evolution is all the more challenging, because design and mechanical structure differ in many points compared to other modern shoes developed for sports such as running, tennis and basketball. This critical review aims to elucidate the characteristics of modern soccer footwear and their possible link to soccer-specific injuries, focusing on the following areas: (1) ergonomics, comfort and proprioception; (2) shoe mechanical characteristics; (3) field surfaces and shoe design.

Does Intensive Soccer Playing During the Growth Period Lead to Leg Length Discrepancies?

Leg length discrepancies (LLD) are a common reason for podiatry consultations and can affect up to 90% of the overall population. Furthermore, it is widely recognized that intensive participation in certain sports can alter bone development. The aim of this study is to explore any possible relation between playing soccer and the appearance or evolution of LLD, by means of a retrospective study based on the analysis of case reports of patients followed for foot or plantar troubles. Case reports were selected in the archives of a podiatric clinic for the period between 2002 and 2016 among patients who declared regular to intensive soccer playing, aged 13 years or more. LLD was detected in the vast majority of cases (95 cases out of 104). Pearson correlation coefficients were computed and revealed a strong correlation between the laterality of the kicking limb and that of the shorter leg. The shorter limb was on the side of the kicking leg in 96% of the cases when considering the players who began practice before the age of 13, and only 53% of the cases for others. Intensive soccer playing at a young age may encourage the appearance and evolution of a real LLD.