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This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Review

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

by
Andrea Demeco
1,2,*,
Nicola Marotta
2,3,
Marco Megna
1,
Andrea Racinelli
1,
Bruno Pansera
1,
Antonio Frizziero
4,
Ilona Yosypchuk
1,
Stefano Palermi
5,
Marco Vecchiato
6,
Ennio Lopresti
1,
Alessandro de Sire
1,2 and
Antonio Ammendolia
1,2
1
Physical and Rehabilitative Medicine, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Catanzaro “Magna Graecia”, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
2
Research Center on Musculoskeletal Health, MusculoSkeletalHealth@UMG, University of Catanzaro “Magna Graecia”, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
3
Physical and Rehabilitative Medicine, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Catanzaro “Magna Graecia”, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
4
Department of Rehabilitation, Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale (ASST) Gaetano Pini-Centro Specialistico Ortopedico Traumatologico (CTO), Piazza Cardinal Ferrari 1, 20122 Milan, Italy
5
Departmental Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, UniCamillus-Saint Camillus International University of Health Sciences, 00187 Rome, Italy
6
Sports and Exercise Medicine Division, Department of Medicine, University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2026, 11(1), 62; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk11010062
Submission received: 19 December 2025 / Revised: 28 January 2026 / Accepted: 29 January 2026 / Published: 30 January 2026
(This article belongs to the Collection Advances in Rehabilitation and Injury Management)
Versions Notes

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.
Keywords: football; footwear; biomechanics; injury; performance; injuries; sports football; footwear; biomechanics; injury; performance; injuries; sports

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MDPI and ACS Style

Demeco, A.; Marotta, N.; Megna, M.; Racinelli, A.; Pansera, B.; Frizziero, A.; Yosypchuk, I.; Palermi, S.; Vecchiato, M.; Lopresti, E.; et al. Functional Design and Clinical Implications of Modern Soccer Footwear: A Comprehensive Narrative Review. J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2026, 11, 62. https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk11010062

AMA Style

Demeco A, Marotta N, Megna M, Racinelli A, Pansera B, Frizziero A, Yosypchuk I, Palermi S, Vecchiato M, Lopresti E, et al. Functional Design and Clinical Implications of Modern Soccer Footwear: A Comprehensive Narrative Review. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology. 2026; 11(1):62. https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk11010062

Chicago/Turabian Style

Demeco, Andrea, Nicola Marotta, Marco Megna, Andrea Racinelli, Bruno Pansera, Antonio Frizziero, Ilona Yosypchuk, Stefano Palermi, Marco Vecchiato, Ennio Lopresti, and et al. 2026. "Functional Design and Clinical Implications of Modern Soccer Footwear: A Comprehensive Narrative Review" Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology 11, no. 1: 62. https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk11010062

APA Style

Demeco, A., Marotta, N., Megna, M., Racinelli, A., Pansera, B., Frizziero, A., Yosypchuk, I., Palermi, S., Vecchiato, M., Lopresti, E., de Sire, A., & Ammendolia, A. (2026). Functional Design and Clinical Implications of Modern Soccer Footwear: A Comprehensive Narrative Review. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology, 11(1), 62. https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk11010062

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