Research in Sport Medicine and Technology

Support foot position is one of the important factors which can affect instep kick quality and ankle joint injury. The aims of this study were to examine the support foot parameters in maximal instep kicking with the preferred and the non-preferred leg and research on risk factors for ankle joint injury in amateur futsal players. In this semi experimental study, twelve young and novice futsal players performed maximal speed place kicks with the preferred and the non-preferred leg. Average of the subjects individual characteristic have contained, age : 21/2±1/5 years, weight : 67/6±5/5 Kg and height :176±4/2 cm. Athletes were kicking the ball towards the goal from 10 meters. amount of support foot pressure were calculated at 300 Hz. To calculate injury of ankle joint, Forces, impulses, position of the fixed leg and maximum pressure of the lateral and medial portions of the foots were determined. Results indicated a significant difference in amount of subtalar joint range of motion. Higher range of motion in dominant leg were caused by a greater flexibility and coordination in this side of the body. In addition there were no significant different in impact of anterior, middle and posterior portion of fixed legs between two support foot. In contrast the maximum pressure in lateral side of non-preferred leg, was significantly more than other foot. In addition, the maximum force in non-preferred leg occurred prior then other foot. These problems can exacerbate ankle injury risk. Because the subjects were novice and they do not have appropriate neuromuscular coordination, can’t show a good movement pattern in non preferred leg. Hence, the absence of neuromuscular coordination can lead to energy loss and high pressure coming into the body, especially the feet and it can exacerbate injuries.  In a nutshell, amateur subjects indicated higher quality of­ biomechanical parameters in support foot of the preferred leg. Also likelihood of ankle sprain in dominant foot was less than other. Also generalization of these results to semi-professional and professional players, need further research.