Effects of Soccer Cleat Stud Patterns Worn Versus Lower Extremity Injuries in the English Premier League.

Abstract

Background: Soccer has driven increased player physical demands, resulting in elevated levels of lower extremity injuries, especially among elite players.

Purpose: To analyze the potential effects of soccer cleat stud patterns worn by players who sustained lower extremity injuries in the English Premier League (EPL).

Study design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods: Cleat models, 510 players, and 221 injuries were analyzed from the EPL 2021-2022 season. The injured player cohort was established using Transfermarkt.com, and cleat stud patterns-categorized as very aggressive (VA), mildly aggressive (MA), and nonaggressive (NA)- were obtained from footballbootsdb.com, product websites, and online reviews. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs were used to assess the risk of lower extremity injury. Poisson regression, multinomial linear regression, chi-square tests, and t tests were used to assess the relationships between age, position, cleat type, and injuries.

Results: VA stud patterns had significantly higher injury odds compared with other models (OR_VA, 1.362 [95% CI, 1.008-1.842]; P = .023), while MA stud patterns had significantly lower injury odds (OR_MA, 0.579 [95% CI, 0.352-0.952]; P = .016). NA stud patterns were not significantly associated with the odds of injury. Cleat type and player position together were significantly associated with differences in observed versus expected injuries (χ² = 37.89; P < .0001; df = 6). Players aged between 23 and 30 years had a significantly higher incidence of injury compared with players aged 18 to 22 years (β_{23-26-year-olds} = 0.4205; P = .03; β_{27-30-year-olds} = 0.5199; P = .006).

Conclusions: EPL players wearing VA stud patterns may have a higher risk of lower extremity injuries compared with those with MA or NA patterns. Older age and player position, combined with cleat type, were associated with increased risk of injury.