S. M. Pescatore1, S. J. DeShazo1, W. M. Weiss1 1University Of Texas Medical Branch, Orthopaedics And Rehabilitation, Galveston, TX, USA
Introduction: As the most popular sport in the world, soccer has driven increased physical demands and higher levels of intensity, resulting in elevated levels of lower extremity injuries among players. Our study analyzed the effects of cleat stud patterns and models worn by players who sustained lower extremity injuries while playing in the English Premier League (EPL).
Methods: Fifteen cleat models, 510 players, and 221 injuries were analyzed from the EPL 2021-22 season. The injured player cohort was established using Transfermarkt.com, while cleat attributes were obtained from footballbootsdb.com and were confirmed using product websites and online reviews. Odds ratios and confidence intervals were used to assess lower extremity injury risk. Stud patterns or cleat models were set as the experimental condition, with injury or no injury as the outcome.
Results: Our results suggest that very aggressive stud patterns have significantly higher injury odds when directly compared to mildly aggressive. In addition, the odds of players sustaining ankle or knee injuries were significant with very aggressive stud patterns, while the odds of players sustaining hamstring injuries were significant with both very aggressive and non-aggressive. Cleat models with significant total or specific lower extremity injury odds were Nike Mercurial, Adidas X, Nike Phantom GT, Adidas Predator, and Nike Tiempo.
Conclusion: EPL players who wear very aggressive stud patterns may be at higher risk for lower extremity injuries compared to those who wear mildly aggressive stud patterns. Players and clubs should evaluate their footwear choice to best mitigate their injury risk.
