INFLUENCE OF FOOTBALL BOOT UNDERSURFACE TYPE ON KNEE JOINT ROTATIONAL MOMENTS AND POTENTIAL NON-CONTACT ACL INJURY

Abstract

Four pairs of commercially available standardised football boots (two bladed and two studded) were evaluated to determine whether boot undersurface type affects potential non-contact ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury. Fifteen professional outfield male football players undertook three trials of a straight line run and sidestep cuts at 30° and 60° with approach velocity 5.5 m·s-1 - 6.0 m·s -1 on an approved artificial football surface. Using an eight camera gait analysis system (120Hz) synchronised with a force platform (960Hz), internal rotational knee moments were compared with cadaveric limits for ACL injury. Internal rotational knee moments during straight line running using studded and bladed boots were insufficient for potential non-contact ACL injury, but were significantly greater during sidestep cutting (p < 0.001) and capable of potential injury.