The influence of sports-shoes mechanical properties on the frequency of lower-extremity athletic injuries

• Published in: Sportorthopädie-Sporttraumatologie Vol. 23; no. 3; pp. 174 - 177
• Main Authors: Graumann, Lutz, Walther, Markus, Krabbe, Berthold, Kleindienst, Frank
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.11.2007
• ISSN: 0949-328X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.orthtr.2007.09.005

During a full basketball season a study was performed to determine the influence of the shoe torsional stiffness on the injury frequency of lower- extremity. Four groups of 40 semi-professional players tested an adidas basketball shoe that was identical per impression but it had four different torsional stiffnesses. Questionnaires before and after the season evaluated the medical history and injury frequency. Apart from the questionnaires a footprint of every subject was taken to evaluate the foot morphology. Results - A statistic significant correlation of instability and rear-foot fit was found among the four groups (p=0.01). Within the different groups existed a correlation of body weight, stiffness and instability. Subjects with a higher body weight (>85 kg) had a benefit in a higher stiffness (element 3 and 4) and subjects with lower body weight (<85 kg) vice-versa (p<0.05). This study shows that the risk of supination trauma increases with a non-bodyweight adapted torsional stiffness of basketball shoes. Conclusion - A bodyweight adapted shoe-stiffness may maximize stability and comfort.