Wearing Cleats Influences Post Exercise Blood Flow to the Foot

Authors

Kassity D. Clay, Brigham Young UniversityFollow
Chase Tomlinson, Brigham Young UniversityFollow
Mel Harsh, Brigham Young UniversityFollow
Abigail Wardle, Brigham Young UniversityFollow
Tyler Burbank, Brigham Young UniversityFollow
Benjamin J. Smedley, Brigham Young UniversityFollow
Adam Ranck, Brigham Young UniversityFollow
Ulrike Mitchell, Brigham Young University- ProvoFollow
Aaron W. Johnson, Brigham Young University-ProvoFollow

Abstract

Common footwear for field-based athletes often includes cleats, which are typically tight and restrictive. This could reduce blood flow to the foot, potentially compromising the health of structures like the plantar fascia and lead to fasciopathy. PURPOSE: Investigate the influence of wearing cleats on reduced blood flow to the foot via the posterior tibial artery (PTA) after exercise, comparing shod versus unshod conditions. METHODS: 19 individuals (female n= 7; age= 22.7 ±2.0 yrs; weight= 70.3 ±8.8 kg; height= 175.1 ±8.5 cm) with no lower extremity injuries completed a 40-minute data collection session on two separate days, one week apart. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups: Group 1 experienced an unshod condition on the first day and a shod condition on the second, while Group 2 experienced the conditions in reverse. Arch height index and dominant foot of each participant were recorded, and cleats were laced to a perceived tightness of 6/10 on a VAS scale. Using a Logic Fortis and S8 machines with L8-18i probe, pulse wave (PW) images of the PTA and anterior tibial artery (ATA) were simultaneously recorded in the dominant foot, before and after performing a modified version of the FIFA 11 warm-up. RESULTS: Out of 19 participants, eight (42.1%) showed an overall decrease in blood flow in both the ATA and PTA post-exercise, six (31.6%) showed an overall increase in blood flow in one artery and decreased flow in the other, four (21.1%) showed an overall increase in blood flow in both the ATA and PTA, and one (5.3%) showed a decrease in blood flow in the PTA and no change in the ATA. There was a significant difference in blood flow to the foot via the PTA between the post exercise unshod and shod condition in individuals who had a decrease in either the ATA or PTA or both compared to those who had an increase in both (p= 0.0006). 13 participants showed a significant decrease in blood flow in the PTA (p=.0001) while the other 6 showed significant increase in PTA blood flow (p= 0.04). CONCLUSION: The results reveal three distinct patterns of blood flow response to cleat use: reduced blood flow in both arteries, mixed changes in one or both arteries, and increased flow in both. The majority of individuals (73%) experience a decrease in blood flow to the foot via the PTA, this may have implications to developing plantar fasciopathy.

Recommended Citation

Clay, Kassity D.; Tomlinson, Chase; Harsh, Mel; Wardle, Abigail; Burbank, Tyler; Smedley, Benjamin J.; Ranck, Adam; Mitchell, Ulrike; and Johnson, Aaron W. (2024) "Wearing Cleats Influences Post Exercise Blood Flow to the Foot," International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 14: Iss. 4, Article 60.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol14/iss4/60