Influence of the Foot and its Characteristics on the Risk of Injury Associated with Dynamic Balance in Soccer Players: An Observational Study

Abstract

Introduction: Dynamic balance (DB) is the basis for all sports motor activities. Variables such as the type of foot and the windlass mechanism (WM) could influence this balance and therefore the risk of injury to the lower limb. Currently no studies are reported that relate these elements to each other in soccer players. Objective: To determine the influence of some characteristics of the foot on the risk of injury associated with DB in young soccer players. Methods: Observational, cross-sectional, and correlational study. Forty players were included in the male sub 20 category. DB was evaluated by means of the Y balance test (YBT). To determine the type of the foot, the Herzco method and Jack's test were used to evaluate the WM. Results: Statistically significant differences were found between the type of the foot and the Jack test with some scopes of the YBT. There was a significant relationship between the left WM vs left DB. Conclusion: Foot’s type and the WM influence the DB. The WM could be related to the DB, however, there seems to be no relationship between Hallux’s evaluation and foot type with the DB. Variables such as the quality of execution of the sporting gesture, exposure to load, among others, should be considered when studing the issue.