Do high-top shoes reduce ankle inversion? A dynamic x-ray analysis of aggressive cutting in a high-top and low-top shoe

Abstract

Ankle strains and sprains are one of the most common basketball injuries. These injuries are often the result of excessive ankle inversion. High-top shoes are worn because it is thought that they limit inversion and, therefore, reduce the risk of inversion injuries. However, it is difficult to quantify inversion of the ankle inside the shoe with traditional measurement techniques, making comparison between footwear conditions difficult. The purpose of this study was to compare inversion of the ankle and shoe in a high-top and a low-top shoe during aggressive lateral cutting. It was hypothesised that ankle inversion would be lower than shoe inversion in both a high-top shoe and a low-top shoe. Six male basketball players were analysed over three dynamic cutting trials in each condition. As hypothesised, shoe inversion during aggressive cutting was higher than ankle inversion in the high-top shoe (17°) and the low-top shoe (25.5°). Future research should focus on determining the relative contribution of ankle inversion inside the shoe versus relative motion between the shoe and the body to ankle injuries.