Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41718190›Full record

ReviewJournal of functional morphology and kinesiology2026

Functional Design and Clinical Implications of Modern Soccer Footwear: A Comprehensive Narrative Review.

Andrea Demeco, Nicola Marotta, Marco Megna, Andrea Racinelli, Bruno Pansera, Antonio Frizziero, Ilona Yosypchuk, Stefano Palermi, Marco Vecchiato, Ennio Lopresti and 2 more

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Journal of functional morphology and kinesiology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

12 authors.

Andrea DemecoPhysical and Rehabilitative Medicine, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Catanzaro "Magna Graecia", 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.ORCID 0000-0001-5419-4275
Nicola MarottaResearch Center on Musculoskeletal Health, MusculoSkeletalHealth@UMG, University of Catanzaro "Magna Graecia", 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-5568-7909
Marco MegnaPhysical and Rehabilitative Medicine, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Catanzaro "Magna Graecia", 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.
Andrea RacinelliPhysical and Rehabilitative Medicine, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Catanzaro "Magna Graecia", 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.ORCID 0009-0002-5932-0116
Bruno PanseraPhysical and Rehabilitative Medicine, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Catanzaro "Magna Graecia", 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.
Antonio FrizzieroDepartment of Rehabilitation, Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale (ASST) Gaetano Pini-Centro Specialistico Ortopedico Traumatologico (CTO), Piazza Cardinal Ferrari 1, 20122 Milan, Italy.ORCID 0000-0001-9533-6444
Ilona YosypchukPhysical and Rehabilitative Medicine, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Catanzaro "Magna Graecia", 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.
Stefano PalermiDepartmental Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, UniCamillus-Saint Camillus International University of Health Sciences, 00187 Rome, Italy.ORCID 0000-0003-1558-4857
Marco VecchiatoSports and Exercise Medicine Division, Department of Medicine, University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy.ORCID 0000-0003-2395-4977
Ennio LoprestiPhysical and Rehabilitative Medicine, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Catanzaro "Magna Graecia", 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.
Alessandro de SirePhysical and Rehabilitative Medicine, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Catanzaro "Magna Graecia", 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-5541-8346
Antonio AmmendoliaPhysical and Rehabilitative Medicine, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Catanzaro "Magna Graecia", 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-2828-2455

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Soccer is the most widely practiced sport globally, but is also associated with a high incidence of lower limb injuries. Among multiple risk factors, soccer footwear represents a crucial biomechanical interface affecting traction, proprioception, and joint loading. This narrative review aims to explore how each component of modern soccer footwear impacts performance and injury risk, with a focus on evidence-based functional customization. A comprehensive narrative review of available literature was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, integrating biomechanical, clinical, and materials science studies. We included studies concerning the structures composing soccer technical footwear. Conical studs were associated with reduced rotational stiffness and lower joint torque, while bladed studs enhanced linear traction but increased ACL strain risk. Upper materials, such as knitted fabrics and engineered mesh, improve proprioception and thermal regulation but show trade-offs in durability and protection. Soleplate stiffness influenced load distribution and performance: increased stiffness improves sprinting but compromises multidirectional agility. Fatigue and proprioception were modulated by insole and soleplate synergy. Soccer footwear should be seen as a clinical and performance tool requiring evidence-based customization. Advances in material technology, 4D foot scanning, and plantar pressure mapping enable functional matching between footwear and athlete characteristics. Translating these insights into player-specific footwear designs may reduce injury rates and enhance on-field performance.

Indexed as

biomechanicsfootballfootwearinjuriesinjuryperformancesports

Identifiers

PMID41718190
PMCPMC12921895

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.