Investigation of localised pressure applied to the foot through the uppers of footwear during sports specific movements

Purpose: Localised peak pressure linked to overuse injuries has been documented extensively at the plantar surface during human locomotion. There is however a paucity of research investigating pressure applied to non-plantar regions of the foot during movement. This study investigates the magnitudes of peak pressures applied to the lateral side of the 5th metatarsal head (5MTH) and calcaneus (CC) by the uppers of footwear during sports movements. Method: A plantar pressure measuring system was adapted to fit into a sock covering the lateral aspect of the L5MTH and LCC. Six male participants (26.7 ± 2.4 years, 75.2 ± 5.5 kg) performed ten trials each of starting, stopping, sprinting, cutting and sidestepping at self-selected velocities, whilst wearing the pressure measuring device. Repeated measures ANOVAs were used to examine differences between peak pressures at different aspects of the lateral side of the dorsum of the foot Results: The results indicate significant differences (p<0.05) between peak pressures at the LCC compared to the L5MTH. Significant differences in peak pressure at the L5MTH were also found between movement strategies. No significant differences (p>0.05) were reported at the LCC between different movements. Conclusions: The results identify a need for athletes pre-disposed to injuries in the uppers of the feet to consider the possible influence of footwear on the magnitudes of peak pressures applied to the lateral side of the dorsum of their feet.

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