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I see several kids with biomechanical issues who play sports in cleats. I question if cleats are necessary and even effective in kids. I have often wondered if a boy/girl less than 100 pounds is effectively seating the cleat into the ground with every step- especially if the ground is hard or rocky. I suspect that unlike an adult, the cleat barely digs into the turf/dirt and kids would have more traction with a turf shoe. This would also give them more stability and better orthotic fitting. I find orthotic fit is difficult in cleats and they often have to be slimmed down, potentially compromising efficacy.

Any thoughts ?? I could not find any studies on the topic and would love to hear opinions as to whether we should be putting kids in turf shoes in lieu of cleats- especially those needing orthotics.

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Making orthotics for Adidas +F50 TUNIT football/soccer cleats

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Cleats were developed initially for Australian Football Rules which tends to be played on hard glassy surfaces. Simon should be able to give you chapter and verse as it was Asics which seems to have pioneered the style of shoe. Other companies picked up very quickly but as I understand it was an Asics innovation.

Prior to the introduction of cleats (not studs), Aussie Rules was one of the few codes to log injuries and it became overly apparent serious knee injury was frequently reported. Boot cleats (made from new polymers) were positioned to help rotation forces pass safely up the leg without putting added stress on the knee when the players were either jumping or landing on turf surfaces. Initially the pattern of cleats was different to studs (although their now seems to be a general return as cleats have been taken by other codes and especially soccer).

Cleats were short and well suited for hard surfaces of course turf and unlike long studs which are more appropriate for wet long, grass. I would think the mass of the individual has little to do with the function of the cleat in young children and provided there is sufficient traction; either shoe style would suit the child.

The interphase between the foot and in sock (where the foot orthoses lives) would not be influenced by the outer sole and ground interphase, so either shoe style, provided it is comfortable and appropriate to conditions, would house foot orthoses.

Something which is worth thinking about is the type of prescription worn in the sport shoe i.e. in theory prescribed orthoses ideally relate to the midstance position walking over a flat surface during a normal gait cycle. The rigours of sport with fast changing foot function may not always match an ideal midstance position and some practitioners use unposted shells to support the kinetic foot in the sport shoe.

But, hey what do I?

toeslayer

So are you saying with children a turf shoe should do just as well as a cleat ??

I am interested in this: Has anybody seen the invention of an English soccer mum of a circular heel that was supposed to prevent the twisting injuries caused by soccer studs/cleats sticking in the ground, the stress twist causing meniscus and cruciate ligaments damage. Any links or names? It was a brief note in a UK newspaper...Carole

There is an Aussie invention by David Myers(?Spelling ) called "Blades", Koala shoes made the first production runs, they were designed to reduce strain on knees of a friend, then as it caught on after a legal fight as an AFL player started wearing them and they were not part of the sponsors contract.
A lot of other brands got on to it and l believe they still produce it.
Try googling it, l hope that helps you.

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Here's a patent for a cleated shoe to prevent knee problems.

http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-P...S=PN/4,670,997

It was licensed to Nike, but they never produced it.

Regards,

Stanley