Biodynamics of Soccer Boots & Correction with Orthotics

Howard F. Liebeskind DPM
Team Podiatrist, US Men’s National Team, & US Women’s National Team & LA Galaxy Soccer Club
Eric A. Pierra, D.C.
Team Chiropractor, LA Galaxy Soccer Club

Soccer Boots and Orthotics
The sport of soccer is constantly changing as its players become bigger, stronger, faster, more agile, and fit. As a result of this change, the maker of soccer boots have been required to meet the needs of the modern player by integrating traditional thought and cutting edge technologies in new product design.

The movement dynamics of the modern soccer player consist of forward progressive, backward progressive, and lateral progressive actions. These actions are characterized by sprinting, stopping, cutting, and pivoting situations where the shoe- surface relations are essential and frictional resistance must be within optimal range.

During a typical 90 minute soccer match a player will frequently cover 8,000 to 11,000 meters. Two-thirds of the total distance covered is generally associated with walking and jogging and one-third is associated cruising, sprinting and backing. Approximately 800 meters of each game requires bursts of 10-40 meters. Within these movements there is a change of speed every 5-6 seconds. Such activity requires a very supportive boot construction. The functional and biomechanical needs must be understood as well as incorporated within the boot to meet physiologic demand and total movement.

A quality and biodynamically sound soccer boot should allow for complete freedom of function and movement. It must also provide total comfort and support. Control of foot movements such as pronation and supination are essential. Equally important is the intrinsic ability of the boot to provide protection against external forces while spreading pressure over the sole of the boot.

Two principles govern the functional requirements of soccer boots: control and comfort. The more control a boot has, the less flexible and more sturdy and controlling its structure will be. They are generally made without arch support or padding to allow for extra “touch”. The opposite is true of comfort. The more comfortable the boot the less stable it will be, in general. Both have advantages and disadvantages. Soccer boot developers are coming up with the hybrid boot that yields the best of both possible worlds that are starting to take their place on shelves in sporting goods stores.

Cleat pattern and cleat position design is both an art and a science. Research and development together with field testing have provided the playing public with a myriad of interesting and good choices.

The most commonly utilized cleat for good-excellent pitch conditions today are firm ground blades. Firm ground bladed boots make up approximately 60% of sales in today’s market versus approximately 40% for standard molded cleats. Screw in cleats make up less than 10% of sales.

Consider your usual playing surface when shopping for your next pair of cleats. In rain-drought hardened surfaces in Southern California, a ground blade boot might work best. If your usual field is well or over-irrigated, you might want to consider molded or studded cleats.

Effect on the body due the lack of arch support and padding especially for young athletes can include anything from Plantar Fascitis (generally associated with pain on the bottom of the feet) to pain from the ankles to the neck and sometimes all the above. When a patient complains of multiple joint pains, the feet are checked for overpronation or oversupination which can be corrected with orthotics.

Effect on the body due the lack of arch support and padding/shock absorption, especially for young athletes, can cause the well known conditions of plantar fascitiis and calcaneal apophysitis (Seaver's Disease.) Plantar fascitis is generally associated with pain on the bottom of the heel and foot while the Seaver's Disease is a concern associated with growth plate of the heel in 8 – 14 year olds. Painful issues associated with the ankles, knees, hips and lower back are frequently seen when mechanically unstable boots are utilized. Other concerns, such as stress reactions, stress fractures, and tendonitis conditions present frequently when boots are poorly chosen or poorly fabricated

When a player complains of pain during play in the above noted regions or with the above noted conditions feet should be evaluated for overpronation or excessive supination as well as other biomechanical deficits.

Biomechanically sound and well selected boots can prevent many if not most of the clinical concerns under discussion. Be sure that during soccer shoe selection the widest part of your foot meets the widest part of the boot… snugly and comfortably, and that the heel counter (the portion of the boot that surrounds the back and sides of the heel) is rigid about the outside of the boot and cushioned internally. Be wise and select a boot with a toebox (front part of the boot) that accommodates you well. There is absolutely no need for a youth player to wear their boots 1-1 ½ sizes smaller than their standard shoe size as some of the pros do. If pain has become an acute chronic issue one should seek the services of a health care professional for assistance. Remember, pain during play can be a danger sign of a medically significant condition.

Chronic low grade foot, ankle, knee and lower back pain in soccer players can occasionally be addressed with functional orthotics. These are dynamically fabricated insoles made from a plaster of paris impression of the feet. They are made only after a complete biomechanical evaluation, a medical assessment, and prescription writing. The actual device generally ranges from 2.0 mm – 7.0 mm in thickness and is inserted into the boot only after the shoes original arch support is removed. The devices have the ability to redirect and offload pressures within the boot's environment and reduce the forces into the foot, extremity and lower back. By reducing forces causing pain an equal action of rest to the area of stress can be accomplished with a reduction in the players’ symptoms.

Also important to note is the fact that orthotics for soccer boots are specific to soccer boots and must be made by a laboratory who specializes in such. A pair of your boots or at least your sockliner should accompany your molds to the lab to insure a perfect fit.

Be certain that the health care professional you choose to visit for orthotic fabrication is not only well versed in your medical needs but also an expert in the mechanical movements of soccer.

In summary, choose your boots correctly, and protect your feet when necessary. Play safe, play smart, and play pain free!!!


References


1. Ekstrand J., Nigg B.M.: Surface Related injuries in Soccer. Am J Sports Med 1998


2. Lees,A. and Nolan, The Biomechanics of Soccer: A Review. Journal of Sports

Sciences, (1998) 16, 211-234