Background: Soccer players are at high risk of stress injuries in the foot. While most research addresses this issue in professional athletes, there is little information concerning young athletes. Objective: As soccer is practiced around the world since early infancy, we set out to determine whether young soccer athletes are susceptible to increased foot loading that increase risk factors for foot injuries. Design: Case control study;Setting: LaboratoryParticipants: twenty-six male adolescents (mean age 16 years old) were organized into two groups: soccer players (n=13) and controls (n=13). Interventions: Participants completed a circuit of soccer relevant motor tasks while plantar pressure data were recorded with different footwear conditions. Additionally, foot sensitivity, ankle range of motion and Q-angle were determined for each group. Data were compared between the soccer and control groups within the different footwear conditions.Main Outcome Measures: Groups were compared regarding foot sensitivity, ankle range of motion, Q-angle, and plantar pressure determined during running and cutting movements performed at maximal speed and using different shoes. Results: Foot sensitivity, ankle range of motion and Q-angle did not differ between the groups. During performance of soccer actions, young players showed higher peak pressure in the lateral region of the foot including the fifth metatarsal. These higher peaks were minimized by manipulation of the footwear. Conclusion: In summary, young soccer athletes show dynamic plantar pressure patterns that are related to foot injury in the adult athlete, and this condition can be minimized by the manipulation of the footwear.
The effects of the correction exercise program combined with stretching and elastic band exercise on femoral intercondylar distance, Q-angle, plantar pressure in undergraduate with genu varum
