Six different football shoes, one playing surface and the weather; Assessing variation in shoe-surface traction over one season of elite football

Abstract

Introduction An optimal range of shoe-surface traction (grip) exists to improve performance and minimise injury risk. Little information exists regarding the magnitude of traction forces at shoe-surface interface across a full season of elite football (soccer) using common football shoes. Objective To assess variation in shoe-surface traction of six different football shoe models throughout a full playing season in Qatar encompassing climatic and grass species variations. Methods Football shoes were loaded onto a portable shoe-surface traction testing machine at five individual testing time points to collect traction data (rotational and translational) on a soccer playing surface across one season. Surface mechanical properties (surface hardness, soil moisture) and climate data (temperature and humidity) were collected at each testing time point. Results Peak rotational traction was significantly different across shoe models (F = 218, df = 5, p <0.0001), shoe outsole groups (F = 316.2, df = 2, p < .0001), and grass species (F = 202.8, df = 4, p < 0.0001). No main effect for shoe model was found for translational traction (F = 2.392, p = 0.07). Conclusions The rotational (but not translational) traction varied substantially across different shoe types, outsole groups, and grass species. Highest rotational traction values were seen with soft ground outsole (screw-in metal studs) shoes tested on warm season grass. This objective data allows more informed footwear choices for football played in warm/hot climates on sand-based elite football playing surfaces. Further research is required to confirm if these findings extend across other football shoe brands.

Response of Twenty Tall Fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort.) Cultivars to Low Mowing Height

“…According to McAuliffe [26], traction measurements in this study fell in the 'low normal' category for Australian Football League recommendations. However, warm-season species that are currently used in Australia in athletic fields, have higher traction values than cool-season species [32]. Values recorded in this study are in range with those collected on kikuygrass [Cenchrus clandestinus (Hochst.…”

A review of turfgrass sports field variability and its implications on athlete–surface interactions

“…Statistical tests were incorporated to assess the influence of surface hardness and soil moisture on traction measurements, but no significant associations were found. Because high rotational traction has been associated with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries (Orchard, 2001;Orchard, Chivers, Aldous, Bennell, & Seward, 2005), Thomson et al (2019) recommended choosing a shoe type with lower rotational traction that does not affect performance (i.e., high translational traction). With seasonal variations among turfgrass sports field characteristics and differences in shoe types, objective data, coupled with player perception, are important when deciding which shoe to use (Thomson et al, 2019).…”

“…Shoe–surface traction and grass species variation were evaluated throughout a full playing season on one soccer field in Qatar by Thomson, Whiteley, Wilson, and Bleakley (2019) (Table 3). Surface hardness and soil moisture were also measured (Table 3).…”

“…(2019) recommended choosing a shoe type with lower rotational traction that does not affect performance (i.e., high translational traction). With seasonal variations among turfgrass sports field characteristics and differences in shoe types, objective data, coupled with player perception, are important when deciding which shoe to use (Thomson et al., 2019).…”

Avaliação dos movimentos do tornozelo e da resposta eletromiográfia dos músculos tibial anterior e fibulares em plataforma de inversão súbita

“…O futebol moderno é, cada vez mais, demandante em termos físicos e técnicos, trazendo um aumento das lesões traumáticas e de esforço 4,43 . No futebol de alto rendimento, o jogador corre, em alta intensidade, até 3000 metros por partida, acelerando em 7-10% e desacelerando em 5-7% dos movimentos realizados 44 .…”