Soccer Cleat Choice and Injury Risk: What Coaches Should Know
We wanted to share a quick, easy-to-understand summary of recent research on soccer cleats and how boot design may influence injury risk. This is not meant to dictate exactly what players must wear, but rather to help coaches and athletes make informed decisions that support player safety.
Key Takeaway
Cleats that create too much traction, particularly bladed or very aggressive stud patterns, may increase the risk of lower extremity injuries by causing the foot to “stick” in the ground during cutting and pivoting movements.
What the Research Shows
NEWER RESEARCH: Higher Traction Isn’t Always Better (2024)
Recent research found that boots with longer or irregularly shaped studs generated significantly higher traction on both natural grass and artificial turf. While traction is necessary for performance, excessive grip may increase injury risk because the foot may not release during high-speed direction changes.
EARLIER STUDY: Foot Pressure Matters (2011)
Traditional rounded studs were shown to distribute pressure across the foot more naturally. In contrast, bladed cleats shifted more load to the outside of the foot, creating a less natural movement pattern that could predispose athletes to injury.
Evidence from Professional Players (2025)
An analysis of 510 English Premier League players found that very aggressive stud patterns were associated with a higher likelihood of lower extremity injuries compared to mildly aggressive or non-aggressive designs.
What This Means for Coaches
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More traction is not always better. There is a performance “sweet spot.”
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Extremely aggressive or bladed studs may increase injury risk.
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Cleat selection should match the playing surface whenever possible (rounded cleats for grass, turf shoes for turf).
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If a field already provides high grip (especially some artificial surfaces), consider discouraging overly aggressive stud patterns.
Helping athletes choose appropriate footwear is one small but meaningful step toward reducing preventable injuries and keeping players on the field. If you ever want guidance on injury reduction strategies or equipment considerations, we’re always happy to help at Omaha Physical Therapy Institute!
References
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Villanueva AM, et al. Outsole Configuration and Traction on Natural Grass and Artificial Turf Playing Surfaces. Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine. 2024. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11311168/
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Bentley JA, Ramanathan AK, Arnold GP, Wang W, Abboud RJ. Harmful cleats of football boots: a biomechanical evaluation. Foot and Ankle Surgery. 2011. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21783074/
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Cleat stud pattern and lower extremity injury risk in English Premier League players. 2025. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40630504/