Date of Award

2011

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Program

Kinesiology

Supervisor

Dr. Bob Litchfield

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effect of two sport-specific cleat patterns (used interchangeably on FieldTurf ) on peak plantar pressures during two running tasks (side cut and cross cut) on FieldTurfTM. Protocols were designed to determine if the turf-specific outsole effectively dispersed peak pressures on certain regions of the foot to a greater degree than a multi-stud outsole. This study was also used to determine if one shoe type would produce faster times during maximal effort sprint trials. Testing was performed on volunteer collegiate and amateur level football and soccer players from The University of Western Ontario. A pressure distribution measuring system for monitoring loads between the foot and the shoe known as the Pedar Mobile System was used in this study to measure peak pressure and maximum force exerted during the cutting motions. Differences between the testing conditions were determined using paired samples t-tests. The analyses demonstrated significant differences between the turf shoe and the multi-stud shoe in peak pressure during both the side cut and the cross cut. The turf-specific shoe was found to reduce the loads in both tasks. No difference was found in maximal sprint effort trials. While the clinical significance of the differences found requires further study, the present findings suggest that turf-specific cleats do, in fact, reduce peak pressure in the forefoot to a greater extent than other types of cleated footwear on FieldTurfTM

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