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.