Modelling equation of soccer shoes design among Malaysia soccer players

Abstract

Sports knowledge contribution that focuses on product design and performance enhancement is still limited, particularly in Malaysia as compared to other countries. This includes mechanical features of footwear based on biomechanics, morphological features based on anatomy and anthropometry, physical features based on environmental factors, which determined foot and body disorders. Soccer shoes, an important component of soccer equipment, may play a role in over exposure to injury. Soccer shoes evolution is all the more challenging, because the design and mechanical structure differ in various aspects compared to other modern shoes developed for sport. The objective of this study is to identify the factors affecting soccer shoes design of Malaysian soccer players. A total of 398 Malaysian male soccer players from various ages and game categories were selected for this study. This study used the quantitative method, whereby questionnaires were applied to obtain information from respondents. The three selected independent variables, namely anatomy, anthropometry and biomechanics have been chosen to identify the significant contribution to the design of soccer shoes. Statistical analysis was carried out using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 26.0. The related equation for each variable was obtained through the analysis of variance (ANOVA) and regression model. The value of R squared (R2 = 0.633) showed the overall contribution of the three variables in the design of soccer shoes amongst Malaysian soccer players. Based on the findings, the multiple linear regression equation was Y = 0.697 + 0.417X1 + 0.007X2 + 0.375X3. This study revealed that the dominant variables contribution was anatomy followed by biomechanics and anthropometry in the soccer shoes design.