Effects of Different Soccer Boots on Biomechanical Characteristics of Cutting Movement on Artificial Turf

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to testing for difference in performance and injury risks between three different outsole configuration soccer boots on artificial turf. Fourteen experienced soccer players performed 45° cut test. They selected soccer boots with artificial ground design (AG), turf cleats boots (TF) and indoor boots (IN) randomly. A Vicon three dimension motion analysis system was used to capture kinematic data and Kistler force platform was used to record the ground reaction force. Novel Pedar-X insole plantar pressure measurement system was utilized to collect the plantar pressure synchronized. During 45° cut, artificial ground design (AG) showed significantly smaller peak knee flexion (p<0.001) and greater abduction angles (p<0.001) than indoor boots (IN). AG showed significantly greater vertical average loading rate (VALR) compared with TF (p=0.005) and IN (p=0.003). The results of plantar pressure found that AG showed the highest peak pressure and force-time integral in the heel (H) and medial forefoot (MFF). Artificial ground design (AG) and turf cleats (TF) may offer a performance benefit on artificial turf compared to IN. In summary, AG may enhance athletic performance on artificial turf, but also may undertake higher risks of non-contact injuries compared with TF and IN.