Plantar pressure asymmetry and risk of stress injuries in the foot of young soccer players

Abstract

Background: Asymmetries in the magnitude of plantar pressure are considered a risk factor for stress fracture of the fifth metatarsal in soccer athletes.

Objective: To investigate the presence of plantar pressure asymmetries among young soccer athletes.

Design: Observational.

Setting: Laboratory.

Participants: Thirty young adolescents divided into a soccer player group (n = 15) or a matched control group (n = 15).

Main outcome measures: Mean plantar pressure was determined for seven different regions of the foot. Data were compared between the preferred and non-preferred foot, and between the groups, during barefoot standing on a pressure mat system.

Results: Higher pressure was found in the hallux, 5th metatarsal and medial rearfoot of the non-preferred foot in the young soccer players. These asymmetries were not observed in the control group. Magnitudes of plantar pressure did not differ between the groups.

Conclusion: Young soccer players present asymmetries in plantar pressure in the hallux, 5th metatarsal and medial rearfoot, with higher pressure observed in the non-preferred foot.

Keywords: Fifth metatarsal; Foot; Plantar pressure; Soccer.