Effects of conventional and minimalist footwear on patellofemoral and Achilles tendon kinetics during netball specific movements

Abstract

Netball is a physically demanding sport that is associated with a high incidence of chronic injuries. Currently there is a trend towards the utilisation of minimalist footwear in netball players as opposed to more conventional netball trainers. The current investigation aimed to examine the effects of netball specific and minimalist footwear on patellofemoral and Achilles tendon loads during netball specific motions. Fifteen female netballers performed both run and cut movements when wearing conventional netball footwear and also a minimalist trainer. Kinematics of the lower extremities were quantified using a motion analysis system alongside ground reaction force information which was obtained using a force platform. Patellofemoral force (PTF), patellofemoral pressure (PP) and Achilles tendon forces (ATF) were quantified using predictive methods and examined between footwear using repeated measures ANOVA. The results indicate that patellofemoral loads (run – PTF: netball specific = 5.56 / minimalist = 4.74 body weight (BW); – PP: netball specific = 13.17 / minimalist = 11.89 MPa; cut – PTF: netball specific = 5.65 / minimalist = 4.82 BW; – PP; netball specific = 14.05 / minimalist = 12.88 MPa) were significantly larger in the conventional footwear compared to minimalist in both movements. Achilles tendon forces (run: netball specific = 4.43 / minimalist = 5.47; cut: netball specific = 4.32 / minimalist = 5.29 BW) were however significantly larger in the minimalist compared to the conventional footwear. Taking the proposed association between knee loading and patellofemoral pathology, the risk from knee injuries in netballers may be reduced via minimalist footwear. However, taking into account the equivalent increases in Achilles tendon forces, this may increase the likelihood of overuse Achilles tendon injuries.