IN-SHOE PLANTAR PRESSURE MEASUREMENTS DURING GOLF SWING PERFORMANCE WEARING METAL AND ALTERNATIVE SPIKED GOLF SHOES

Abstract

In-shoe plantar pressures were assessed when two different golf shoes were worn. One shoe design incorporated 7 metal spikes and the other 7 alternative spikes. Eighteen male golfers (mean handicap ±SD: 12.4 ± 7.8) played 5 shots with a 7 iron while wearing each shoe on a natural grass surface. Pressures in 9 standardised foot regions were analysed to yield maximal, average and ball impact values. The greatest pressures were at the lateral regions of the front-foot from the point of ball impact when wearing the metal spike shoes. Significantly greater maximal pressures occurred when wearing the metal spike shoe (front foot: lateral 114 kPa; back foot: lateral heel 40 kPa, medial central 63 kPa; p<0.05). In the alternative spike shoe, significantly greater maximal (76 kPa) and average pressures (41 kPa) occurred on the back foot at the central toe region.