Plantar loading in the youth soccer player during common soccer movements and risk for foot injury.

INTRODUCTION: 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. 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 in a similar manner as reported by the literature to the adult athlete. METHODS: twenty-six male adolescents (mean age 16 years old) were organized into two groups: soccer players (n = 13) and controls (n = 13). 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 region. 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. Additional attention should be paid to the young athlete in soccer aiming to minimize long-term risk for stress injuries in the foot.

Within and between-days repeatability and variability of plantar pressure measurement during walking in children, adults and older adults.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies discussed the repeatability and variability in plantar pressure measurement, but a few considered different age groups. Here we determine within and between-days repeatability and variability of plantar pressure measurement during gait in participants from different age groups. METHOD: Plantar pressure was recorded in children, young adults and older adults walking at preferred speed in four non-consecutive days within one week. Data from 10 steps from each foot in each day were analyzed considering the different regions of the foot. Mean and peak plantar pressure and data variability were compared between the steps, foot regions and days. RESULTS: To describe mean and peak pressure during gait in children and adults a single measurement can be enough, but elderly will requires more attention especially concerning peak values. Variability in mean pressure did not differ between age groups, but peak pressure variability differed across foot regions and age groups. CONCLUSION: One single observation can be used to describe plantar pressure during gait in children and adults. When the interest concerns older people, it might be pertinent to consider more than one day of assessment, especially when looking at peak pressure.

Plantar pressure asymmetry and risk of stress injuries in the foot of young soccer players.

BACKGROUND: Asymmetries in the magnitude of plantar pressure are considered a risk factor for stress fracture of the fifth metatarsal in soccer athletes. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the presence of plantar pressure asymmetries among young soccer athletes. DESIGN: Observational. SETTING: Laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty young adolescents divided into a soccer player group (n = 15) or a matched control group (n = 15). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Mean plantar pressure was determined for seven different regions of the foot. Data were compared between the preferred and non-preferred foot, and between the groups, during barefoot standing on a pressure mat system. RESULTS: Higher pressure was found in the hallux, 5th metatarsal and medial rearfoot of the non-preferred foot in the young soccer players. These asymmetries were not observed in the control group. Magnitudes of plantar pressure did not differ between the groups. CONCLUSION: Young soccer players present asymmetries in plantar pressure in the hallux, 5th metatarsal and medial rearfoot, with higher pressure observed in the non-preferred foot.