The Effect of the Foot Arch Related Muscle Strength Training on the Incidence of Ankle and Foot Injuries in Male College Soccer Players

Abstract

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of foot arch related muscle strength training on the incidence of ankle and foot injuries among college soccer players. [Subjects] The subjects were 30 male college soccer players. [Methods] The subjects were distributed to a training group and a control group. Height, weight, toe flexor muscle strength, foot arch ratio, functional reach test, one maximum width of step, one-leg standing time with eyes closed, and 10 m maximum speed walking time were measured before and after the intervention. The subjects were paired by toe flexor muscle strength, 10 m maximum speed walking time and then divided randomly into two groups. The training group performed toe flexor muscle strength training. We evaluated the number of accidental injuries per one season between the training group and the no-training group, and the number of accidental injuries were divided into each part of the body, and the measurement items and the number of accidental injuries were compared between the groups. [Results] Toe flexor muscle strength significantly increased in the training group, and one maximum width of step, and one-leg standing time with eyes closed also increased. Furthermore, the number of ankle sprains in the training group, were significantly less than in the no-training group. [Conclusion] The results suggest that foot arch related muscle strength training for college soccer players is effective for injury prevention. © 2012, The Society of Physical Therapy Science. All rights reserved.