Shoe influence on actual and perceived ball handling performance in soccer

Abstract

Purpose: Ball handling, the interaction between foot and ball, is the defining component of soccer. Soccer footwear was shown to influence ball velocity and ball accuracy during standardized kicking techniques. However, ball handling comprises all sorts of foot and ball interaction. Therefore, this research quantified general ball handling performance of soccer players wearing different footwear. Methods: Nineteen experienced soccer players performed a subjective and objective ball handling test. It included dribbling, juggling, lofted passing of stationary ball, one touch passing of rolling ball and one touch passing from aerial. Different footwear conditions included two soccer shoe models, a non soccer specific indoor court shoe and barefoot. Shoe performance was analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc tests (P < 0.05). Results: Objective performance measurements revealed only few statistically significant differences between footwear. In contrast, subjective perception measurements showed statistical differences between footwear. Subjects generally perceived soccer specific footwear as suited protective devices during ball handling and to be better suited for ball handling performance than non soccer specific footwear. Additionally, subjects tended to judge ball handling between the two soccer shoes to be different. However, subjective ball handling perception did not generally reflect objective performance of players. Conclusion: Footwear changes perception of ball handling performance. It may also alter actually measurable performance. Specific mechanisms allowing players to exhibit increased ball handling performance by use of footwear have not been identified yet. Thus, soccer research should also aim to establish suited biomechanical and mechanical protocols for the analysis of interface characteristics of foot and ball.