Clinical and laboratory analysis of foot and ankle among licensed football players

Objective: The aim of our study is performing clinical (generalized joint hypermobility, joint range of motion assessment with using inclinometer and goniometer, foot posture assesment with FPI-6 scale) and laboratory (pedobarographic measurements) analysis of foot and ankle which are significantly affected in football players' injuries and to determine the factors that can cause sports injuries by using this obtained data. Material and Methods : 100 licensed football players who regularly practice soccer and played in the A2 league, which is the 2nd team of professional teams in İzmir and Manisa were included to study. Demographic data and general anthropometric measurements of the participants were recorded and a sports injury detection form was filled out at the beginning of the study. Presence of joint hypermobility (Beighton Score ≥ 4), foot posture assessment (FPI-6 scale), joint range of motion (ROM) measurement with using an inclinometer (ankle joint) and goniometer (1st MTF joint), pedobarographic assesment of foot plantar region; maximum dynamic and static pressure (N/cm²) and load rate (N/cm² sn) was performed. Afterwards, the footballers were followed in the 6th and 12th months in terms of new injury development and sports injury detection form was filled out. After a total follow-up of one year; clinical and pedobarographic data of footballers with at least one lower extremity disability were compared with the group with no injuries. Results: In static pedobarographic maximum pressure measurements, while static right foot anteromedial pressures in injured group was found significantly decreased compared to non-injured group (p<0.05), right mid-foot pressures, right foot anterolateral pressures and left foot anterolateral pressures was found significantly increased compared to non-injured group (p<0.05). In maximum dynamic pressure (MDP) pedobarographic measurements, right foot heel lateral and left foot 4th metatarsal area pressures statistical was found significantly low in injured group (p<0.05). In footballers who have supin posture on right foot, while right 2nd-5th toe MDP values was found significantly decreased, on right 1st metatarsal area MDP value was significantly increased compared to the footballers with neutral foot posture (p<0.05). For footballers who have supin posture on left foot, left 2nd-5th toe MDP values was significantly decreased and on left 4th metatarsal area, MDP value was significantly increased, compared to the footballers with neutral foot posture (p<0.05). When the ROM values for injured and non-injured footballers are compared, a significant disability was found on right foot eversion and 1st metatarsophalangeal joint dorsiflexion value and left foot plantar flexion values among the injured group, compared to the non-injured group (p<0.05). Conclusions: It is found that the mechanical problems that occurs with the impairments on foot and ankle mold and are determined as clinical and pedographical, is related to injury risk, therefore to reduce the injury risk and to increase the player's performance, we think that using of staples that are proper with foot posture and shape and sole plates could help with preventing lower limb injuries.