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Small cleats 'could minimise foot stress fractures' on artificial surfaces

Thursday 2nd May 2013
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Sports shoes featuring small cleats could help with minimising the number of foot stress fractures that occur in athletes playing on artificial surfaces, according to new research. 

The study, which appears in the latest issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, explained how cleat size played a role in a person's risk of injury. 

It suggested that most sports shoes have a higher peak torque - foot movement and movement force - on artificial turf than on natural turf. 

However, the material used on the sole of the shoe, cleat pattern and shape, could all influence torque, the researchers said, with small cleats believed to place the least amount of stress on the foot. 

As such, the scientists explained this could reduce the number of foot stress fractures on artificial surfaces - insight which will be useful to podiatrics delivering advice to their sports-playing patients. 

Lead study author Dr Mark Drakos said: "The role of the shoe surface interface in the development of lower extremity injuries continues to be clarified." 

It was suggested that the best shoe-playing surfaces were most likely to be level and sport specific, with further research needed to improve playing conditions for athletes. 

Synthetic playing fields were introduced in the 1960s to help improve surface durability and accessibility and to reduce field maintenance, the study said. 

Although newer artificial surfaces have been designed to mirror grass and soil conditions, they continue to be linked to foot, ankle, toe and knee injuries. 

As the researchers argue, it is paramount to understand the interplay between various types of athletics shoes, specific sports and field surfaces to minimise injuries. 

"The shoe-playing surface interface is a modifiable risk factor for injury, and further research is needed to improve playing conditions for athletes of all levels," Dr Drakos said. 

Written by Mathew Horton 

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