B17 Basic research on sole design in soccer boots

Abstract

Traction between footwear and surface is crucial to improving performance and preventing lower limb injuries. In field sports such as soccer, the cleats penetrate and interlock with the playing surface. The purpose of this study is to obtain elementary information for sole designing in soccer boots. Soccer boot traction depends on cleat geometry and arrangement. The proposed technique with miniature sensors measures ground reaction force (GRF) distribution. By using test boots with 16 cleats and miniature sensors, the force components loaded on each cleat are measured in the side step motion. Length of step are 70, 90, 110cm. GRF distributions are also measured using boots with different cleat arrangements. The effects of cleat arrangement on GRF distributions are quantitatively evaluated.