Do plantar flexor muscle structure and function contribute to medial tibial stress syndrome in long-distance runners? A case report.

Two long-distance runners developed MTSS (male age=26.3 years, female age=47.5 years) after baseline assessment of plantar flexor muscle structure and function and spatiotemporal running variables. B-mode ultrasound and lean leg girth characterized plantar flexor muscle structure. Hand-held dynamometry and a single-leg heel raise to failure protocol characterized plantar flexor muscle function. Finally, spatiotemporal running variables were determined during a treadmill protocol. The two runners who developed MTSS demonstrated less plantar flexor strength and endurance capacity than published comparative control data and marked variability in muscle structure. Reduced plantar flexor strength and endurance capacity were thought to contribute to an impaired ability to resist tibial bending moments during midstance due to earlier muscle fatigue. Earlier muscle fatigue could, in turn, contribute to increased tibial bending moments and MTSS development. Therefore, assessing plantar flexor muscle strength and endurance might help to identify athletes at risk of developing MTSS.

Do foot type classifications differ between male and female netball players? A cluster analysis.

We must better understand the foot type classifications of netball players to develop sex and size-specific shoe lasts. Five hundred and two representative-level netball players (n = 251 male; n = 251 female) had their feet three-dimensionally scanned. A validated MATLAB code was used to extract six different foot measurements from these scans automatically. We then used a two-step cluster analysis and chi-squared tests to classify foot types and determine the effect of sex on each cluster, respectively. Five foot types were identified (Extra long-and-wide, Long-and-wide, Flat, Tapered and Short-and-narrow), with sex significantly affecting foot type classification. The feet of players wearing smaller shoe sizes were often Short-and-narrow and Tapered, whereas the feet of players wearing larger sizes tended to be more Extra long-and-wide and Long-and-wide. These results highlight that netball players have a wide variety of foot types; manufacturers should use these data to develop future grading systems to improve the fit and functionality of netball-specific footwear.

This study aimed to investigate the foot types of netball players. The results demonstrated that five main foot types should be used to inform future shoe last designs and size grading systems. These findings have implications for improving the fit and functionality of netball shoes, particularly for men.

Do the feet of male and female netball players differ in shape? Implications for shoe design.

A large proportion of netball players suffer foot-related problems and pain and are dissatisfied with current netball-specific footwear. To improve the fit and functionality of netball-specific shoes, we must understand the shape of these players' feet and determine whether any sex differences exist. Five hundred and two representative-level netball players (n = 251 male; n = 251 female) had their feet three-dimensionally scanned. We then used a validated MATLAB code to automatically extract 10 measurements to characterise each participant's foot shape. Differences between men and women for the absolute values and those normalised to foot length and stature were identified using independent samples t-tests with a Bonferroni adjusted alpha level. The size and shape of male netball players' feet differed significantly from their female counterparts. Males had significantly larger absolute and normalised foot measurements than females, notably at the ball of the foot, heel and instep (p < 0.001). Netball shoe manufacturers should develop unique lasts for each sex and foot size and should offer a more extensive range of shoe lengths and widths to netball players. Such considerations will help optimise shoe fit and comfort and, in turn, reduce foot-related problems and pain associated with ill-fitting footwear.

What do male netball players want in their footwear? Design recommendations for netball-specific shoes for men.

With the increasing professionalisation of men's netball and the high prevalence of foot-related problems and pain, manufacturers must develop shoes with the correct ergonomic design to meet the unique needs of male netball players. This study aimed to determine what factors men consider when selecting a netball-specific shoe and what design features they want in an ideal netball-specific shoe. 279 amateur, sub-elite and elite male netball players completed a 38-question online survey about their footwear habits and preferences. Support was the most influential factor when men selected a netball-specific shoe. A wider toe-box, more durable upper and outsole, and added cushioning and support in the midsole and insole were preferred fit, form and function features for an ideal netball-specific shoe. We recommend that manufacturers develop a range of netball-specific shoes based on the foot dimensions, playing demands and preferences of male netball players to meet men's fit and functionality requirements.

Increasing women's participation in biomechanics through National Biomechanics Day events.

Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) occupations represent one of the broadest gender gaps in any professional field, with women and girls grossly underrepresented in STEM education and careers, particularly engineering and biomechanics. Factors such as bias, stereotyping, and a lack of female role models can significantly influence women's and girls' decisions to enter and remain in the field of biomechanics. A critical first step in increasing the number of female biomechanists is to create early opportunities for girls to explore biomechanics. To address this, international initiatives, such as National Biomechanics Day (NBD), have been developed to expand the awareness, influence, and impact of biomechanics by engaging young people in school biomechanics programs. The Biomechanics Initiative, the official sponsor of NBD, offers grant programs aimed at empowering women to host an NBD event designed to promote biomechanics to girls and women in an immersive, interactive, and engaging manner. In 2021, Biomechanics Research Laboratory (BRL) Ph.D. student Maddison Kirk was a recipient of the grant program. In this paper we describe the BRL NBD event, which involved 20 female athletes from diverse backgrounds, demonstrating to them how biomechanics can be used to assess their physical fitness and performance. Female biomechanists and research assistants running the NBD event acted as female role models to participants, increasing the visibility of women in biomechanics and, in turn, helping to address current bias and stereotyping in STEM. By diversifying biomechanics and ensuring STEM fields are representative of the society in which we live, we can advance the field of biomechanics both nationally and internationally.

Do the Footwear Profiles and Foot-Related Problems Reported by Netball Players Differ Between Males and Females?

INTRODUCTION: We explored the footwear profiles and foot-related problems reported by netball players and whether these differed between males and females. METHODS: Two thousand nine hundred and twenty-five amateur, sub-elite and elite netball players (men n = 279; women n = 2646; age 26.4 ± 10.0 years) completed a custom-designed online survey with questions related to netball experience, current netball footwear habits and history of foot-related problems. Footwear profiles and foot-related problems were considered in logistic regressions against sex and competition level to ascertain significant relationships (p < 0.05) and predictive values (odds ratio). RESULTS: Although 80.4% of respondents reported wearing netball-specific shoes, females were 13.2 times more likely to wear netball-specific shoes than males. Foot-related problems and foot pain were reported by 84.3% and 56.8% of netball players, respectively; with blisters, ankle sprain/strains and calluses being most common. Although women were significantly more likely to suffer from foot-related problems than men, males were significantly more likely to believe their foot pain was caused by the footwear they wore for netball. CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of foot-related problems and pain reported by all netball players suggests that the shoes players are currently wearing for netball are not meeting the requirements of players, particularly regarding fit, comfort and functionality. As male netball players have significantly different footwear profiles to female players, men are likely to require netball-specific footwear that differs to the netball-specific shoes designed for female players.

Are Leg Muscle, Tendon and Functional Characteristics Associated with Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome? A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS) is a common overuse injury that lacks effective evidence-based treatment options. Reduced leg girth has been associated with MTSS development because it is hypothesised to impair the ability of the leg to modulate tibial loading generated during foot-ground contact. Measuring total leg girth, however, does not provide specific information about the structural composition or functional capacity of individual leg muscles. Consequently, uncertainty remains as to which specific muscles are compromised and contribute to MTSS development. Therefore, this paper aimed to systematically review the body of literature pertaining to how the structure and function of the leg muscles are thought to be associated with MTSS injury. METHODS: The review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P). Medline, PubMed, SCOPUS, SPORTDiscus with Full-texts and Web of Science were searched until March 2021 to identify articles in which lower limb muscle structural or functional variables associated with MTSS injury were investigated. RESULTS: Seventeen studies, which were predominately case-control in design and captured data from 332 individuals with MTSS symptoms and 694 control participants, were deemed appropriate for review. The average Downs and Black Quality Assessment score was 71.7 ± 16.4%, with these articles focussing on leg girth, tendon abnormalities, muscle strength and endurance, shear modulus and neuromuscular control. Of the risk factors assessed in the 17 studies, decreased lean leg girth and higher peak soleus muscle activity during propulsion were most strongly correlated with MTSS development. Individuals with MTSS also displayed deficits in ankle plantar flexor endurance, greater isokinetic concentric eversion strength, increased muscle shear modulus and altered neuromuscular recruitment strategies compared to asymptomatic controls. CONCLUSIONS: Future prospective studies are required to confirm whether decreased lean leg girth and higher peak soleus muscle activity during propulsion are associated with MTSS development and to elucidate whether these structural and functional differences in the leg muscles between MTSS symptomatic and asymptomatic controls are a cause or effect of MTSS.