Criteria for gender-specific soccer shoe development

To date, there is a lack of research on gender-specific soccer footwear, even though there are biological differences as well as differences in playing behaviour among female and male players. This paper discusses criteria that are important for the development of women-specific soccer shoes. Females are different in size and body composition and due to a lower muscular strength, movements are less powerful. Biomechanical and neuromuscular differences are the cause of different movement patterns and in comparison to men women bear a higher risk of non-contact injuries. Traction properties of the shoe should be studied to understand the gender related influence of footwear on high risk movements like cutting or landing, which often cause knee injuries. Questionnaires showed that comfort is the most important shoe feature that soccer players expect from their shoes, but comfort is even more important for the female players. Therefore, it is necessary that shoe last design and upper construction are based on gender-specific foot morphology. In general, female feet are smaller and even if feet have the same length as males, female feet tend to be narrower. A lot of female players are not satisfied with their shoes and would like to have a narrower fit and a (slightly) more flexible outsole. However they do not want shorter studs, although cleat design is likely to influence injury risk. In conclusion: Female players need their own shoe design that decreases injury risks without sacrificing performance.