HOME HELP CONTACT US SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:
Sign In to gain access to subscriptions and/or personal tools.

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Tol, J. L. Articles by van Dijk, C. N. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Tol, J. L. Articles by van Dijk, C. N. Related Collections Biomechanics Ankle Soccer

The Relationship of the Kicking Action in Soccer and Anterior Ankle Impingement Syndrome

A Biomechanical Analysis

Johannes L. Tol, MD^*,, Erik Slim, MSc^*, Arthur J. van Soest, PhD and C. Niek van Dijk, MD, PhD^*

^* Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam
Faculty of Human Movement Sciences, Free University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Johannes L. Tol, MD, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, POB 22700, 1100 DE Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Two different hypotheses have been advanced to explain the formation of talotibial osteophytes in the anterior ankle impingement syndrome. We investigated how frequently hyperplantar flexion occurs during kicking and whether the site of impact of the ball coincides with the reported location of the osteophytes. We also measured the magnitude of the impact force. We studied 150 kicking actions performed by 15 elite soccer players by using mobile sensors and high-speed video. In 39% of the kicking actions, the plantar flexion angle exceeded the maximum static plantar flexion angle. Ball impact was predominantly made with the anteromedial aspect of the foot and ankle, with impact between the ball and the base of the first metatarsal bone in 89% of the kicking actions and between the ball and the anterior part of the medial malleolus in 76%. Postimpact ball velocity averaged 24.6 m/s, with a corresponding average contact force of 1025 N. Hyperplantar flexion was reached in only the minority of the kicking actions. The data on impact location and impact force support the hypothesis that spur formation in anterior ankle impingement syndrome is related to recurrent ball impact, which can be regarded as repetitive microtrauma to the anteromedial aspect of the ankle.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				F. Le Gall, C. Carling, and T. Reilly Injuries in Young Elite Female Soccer Players: An 8-Season Prospective Study Am. J. Sports Med., February 1, 2008; 36(2): 276 - 284. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. Robinson and S. R. Bollen Posterior ankle impingement in professional soccer players: effectiveness of sonographically guided therapy. Am. J. Roentgenol., July 1, 2006; 187(1): W53 - W58. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				F. Le Gall, C. Carling, T. Reilly, H. Vandewalle, J. Church, and P. Rochcongar Incidence of Injuries in Elite French Youth Soccer Players: A 10-Season Study Am. J. Sports Med., June 1, 2006; 34(6): 928 - 938. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. E. Nikolopoulos, A. I. Tsirikos, S. Sourmelis, and G. Papachristou The Accessory Anteroinferior Tibiofibular Ligament as a Cause of Talar Impingement: A Cadaveric Study Am. J. Sports Med., March 1, 2004; 32(2): 389 - 395. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. E. Andersen, T. W. Floerenes, A. Arnason, and R. Bahr Video Analysis of the Mechanisms for Ankle Injuries in Football Am. J. Sports Med., January 1, 2004; 32(90010): 69S - 79. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				P. Robinson and L. M. White Soft-Tissue and Osseous Impingement Syndromes of the Ankle: Role of Imaging in Diagnosis and Management RadioGraphics, November 1, 2002; 22(6): 1457 - 1469. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]