Effects of plate stiffness on first metatarsophalangeal joint motion during unanticipated cutting and resisted sled pushing in football players

Abstract

Turf toe, first metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ) sprain, is a debilitating injury in football players that is likely the result of excessive dorsiflexion of the hallux. Understanding in-cleat motion of the MTPJ with increased magnitudes of midsole stiffness may help to identify footwear modifications for treatment and injury risk. The purpose was to determine the effects of plate stiffness on in-cleat (anatomical) and footwear MTPJ motion during football–specific movements. Male football players (n = 13) performed two tasks, unanticipated side cutting and weighted sled pushing, with two identical football-specific cleats with different magnitudes of plate stiffness. An electromagnetic motion analysis system with 2 mm sensors was used to assess anatomical (mounted on the foot) and footwear (mounted on the cleat) MTPJ dorsiflexion and ankle dorsiflexion. Repeated measures ANOVAs (p < 0.05) were used to assess statistical differences. Footwear measured MTPJ dorsiflexion was significantly decreased with the stiff cleat compared to the control cleat during side cut (p = 0.04) and weighted sled push (p = 0.02) tasks. However, anatomical measured MTPJ dorsiflexion was not statistically different between cleat conditions (p > 0.05). Anatomical ankle dorsiflexion was increased with the stiff cleat compared to control cleat (p = 0.003). In conclusion, Kinematic footwear differences exist between two football cleats with distinctive magnitudes of plate stiffness. Anatomical MPTJ dorsiflexion, however, was not statistically different between cleats.