Foot & ankle injuries in footballers

NewsBot · Dec 14, 2025

Foot Morphology and Plantar Pressures in Elite Male Soccer Players-A Baropodometric On-Field Dynamic Assessment
Pablo Vera-Ivars et al
Sports (Basel). 2025 Nov 13;13(11):408.

Introduction: Numerous overuse injuries affecting the lower limbs of elite athletes have been associated with biomechanical alterations in plantar loading of the foot. This study aimed to analyze the plantar pressure distribution in elite male soccer players and its relationship with various morphological and functional factors, including foot type, metatarsal and digital alignment, and on-field position.

Material and method: Dynamic foot pressure measurements were obtained from 21 soccer players who participated in the UEFA Champion League. The participants had an average age of 27 years, with an average height of 180.9 cm, weight of 76.9 kg, and BMI of 23.4. An insole system (BioFoot/IBV) with telemetry transmission was employed to record plantar loading patterns during normal gait and running.

Results: During the support or contact phase, the central and medial metatarsal areas exhibited the highest peak pressure under both walking and running conditions. When walking, the right foot exerted 13-60% more pressure on the outer metatarsal and toe areas. The left foot experienced up to 13% more peak pressure in the middle metatarsal area. During running, the total pressure difference between the feet ranged from -8% to +19%. The right foot usually had more peak pressure on the heel and first toe. In players with valgus feet, the pressure in the central metatarsal area increased from 1086 kPa (walking) to 1490 kPa (running), representing a 37% increase. Conversely, in players with cavus-varus feet, the pressure in this central area increased from 877 kPa to 1804 kPa, a 105% increase.

Conclusions: Foot morphology and playing position significantly influenced the plantar pressure patterns in elite soccer players. The central metatarsal region bears the highest load, particularly during running, with distinct variations across foot types and field positions. These findings highlight the need for individualized biomechanical assessments to prevent overuse injuries and optimize performance.
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NewsBot · Jan 3, 2026

Foot and Ankle Biomechanical Assessment in Soccer Players: A Narrative Review of Testing Methods
Sinan SEYHAN, Görkem AÇAR
Source

Foot and ankle biomechanics play a central role in soccer performance, influencing stability, movement efficiency, and injury susceptibility. Although numerous structural and functional assessment tools exist, the literature lacks an integrated synthesis that evaluates these tests collectively in relation to injury mechanisms and sport-specific demands. This narrative review aims to critically examine commonly used biomechanical assessments—including FPI-6, Navicular Drop Test, Hallux Valgus Angle, plantar pressure analysis, CAIT, FAAM, weighted dorsiflexion ROM, and tibial torsion measurements—and to highlight their relevance for identifying risk factors in soccer players. Evidence indicates that structural abnormalities such as pes planus, subtalar overpronation, and hallux valgus alter plantar pressure distribution and increase the likelihood of overuse injuries, ankle sprains, and chronic instability. Functional measures including CAIT and FAAM provide complementary insight into ankle instability and sport-related performance limitations. By synthesizing current findings, this review underscores the need for comprehensive, multi-dimensional assessment strategies that support individualized training and injury-prevention programs in soccer.
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NewsBot · Jan 4, 2026

Injury and local injection and the risk of foot/ankle osteoarthritis: a case–control study in retired UK male professional footballers
Ahmed Ali Thanoon , et al
Rheumatology, keaf518, https://doi.org/10.1093/rheumatology/keaf518

Objective

The objective of this study was to examine whether foot/ankle injury and injection contribute to the risk of foot/ankle OA in retired UK male professional footballers.
Methods

This was a case–control study among retired UK male footballers, in which cases reported General Practitioner–diagnosed foot/ankle OA or forefoot/ankle surgery after retirement, and controls reported neither. Injury was defined as significant foot/ankle injury with pain for most days over 3 months during their career. Injection was defined as injection of corticosteroids or other agents into foot/ankle joints during their career. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) with 95% confidence interval (CIs) were calculated using logistic regression. Areas Under the Curve (AUCs) and 95% CIs were estimated to examine the contribution of injury and/or injection in the context of other available risk factors.
Results

Of 424 footballers studied, 63 had foot/ankle OA and 361 had neither. Cases had similar mean age (63.2 vs 63.0, P = 0.457) and BMI (27.7 vs 27.0, P = 0.240) to those of controls, but more foot/ankle injury (73.3% vs 42.5%, P < 0.001) and injections (75.0% vs 48.4%, P < 0.001), with aORs of 4.23 (95% CI 1.88–9.48) and 2.62 (95% CI 1.19–5.78), respectively. The AUC was 0.69 (95% CI 0.62–0.77) for injury, 0.74 (95% CI 0.66–0.81) for injury and injection, and 0.78 (95% CI 0.70–0.85) for all risk factors. Similar results were observed in footballers with ankle OA only.
Conclusion

Injury was a major risk factor for foot/ankle OA in retired UK male professional footballers. The role of injection needs cautious interpretation due to potential confounding by indication.
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Foot & ankle injuries in footballers

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Foot & ankle injuries in footballers

NewsBot The Admin that posts the news.

NewsBot The Admin that posts the news.

NewsBot The Admin that posts the news.

Foot and ankle injuries related to the use of E-scooters

Foot and ankle injuries in an emergency department

Foot and Ankle Motocross Motorcycling Injuries

The relationship of hip muscle performance to leg, ankle and foot injuries

Puck contusion injuries to the foot and ankle in ice hockey

Health Literacy in Patients With Foot and Ankle Injuries

Foot and Ankle Injuries in American Football

Share This Page

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