Effects of Footwear Variations on Three-Dimensional Kinematics and Tibial Accelerations of Specific Movements in American Football

Abstract

American football is associated with a high rate of non-contact chronic injuries. Players are able to select from both high and low cut footwear. The aim of the current investigation was to examine the influence of high and low cut American football specific footwear on tibial accelerations and three-dimensional (3D) kinematics during three sport specific movements. Twelve male American football players performed three movements, run, cut and vertical jump whilst wearing both low and high cut footwear. 3D kinematics of the lower extremities were measured using an eight-camera motion analysis system alongside tibial acceleration parameters which were obtained using a shank mounted accelerometer. Tibial acceleration and 3D kinematic differences between the different footwear were examined using either repeated measures or Friedman's ANOVA. Tibial accelerations were significantly greater in the low cut footwear in comparison to the high cut footwear for the run and cut movements. In addition, peak ankle eversion and tibial internal rotation parameters were shown to be significantly greater in the low cut footwear in the running and cutting movement conditions. The current study indicates that the utilization of low cut American football footwear for training/performance may place American footballers at increased risk from chronic injuries.

Effects of High- And Low-Cut Footwear on the Kinetics and 3d Kinematics of Basketball Specific Motions

“…Of further importance is the observation during the run movement that the magnitude of peak eversion was significantly attenuated in the high-cut footwear in relation to the minimalist, conventional and low-cut conditions. This concurs with the observations of Sinclair et al, 20 who showed that peak eversion was significantly reduced whilst wearing high-cut American football cleats during similar movements. Furthermore, the relative eversion relative ROM at the ankle was shown to be significantly larger in the minimalist footwear in relation to the high-cut, low-cut and conventional conditions.…”

“…The average velocity of running was monitored using infra-red timing gates (SmartSpeed Ltd UK). The stance phase of running was defined as the duration over > 20 N of vertical force was applied to the force platform 20 .…”

“…In accordance with McLean et al, 21 cut angles were measured from the centre of the force plate and the corresponding line of movement was delineated using masking tape so that it was clearly evident to participants. The stance phase of the cut-movement was similarly defined as the duration over > 20 N of vertical force was applied to the force platform 20 .…”

Acute Effects of Gait Interventions on Tibial Loads During Running: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

“…One study [ 47 ] examined the effect of high-cut shoes on tibial loading and found a ‘moderate’ decrease in tibial loading ( I 2 = not applicable, SMD − 0.94; 95% CI − 1.76, − 0.13) (Fig. 4 a; Table 2 ).…”

“…Only one study was identified that examined high- versus low-cut shoes [ 47 ]. The study indicated that there was a ‘moderate’ decrease in tibial loading when wearing a high-compared with low-cut football cleat (SMD − 0.94) [ 47 ].…”