MINIMIZING SHOE-SURFACE FRICTION AT INITIAL CONTACT: A NOVEL APPROACH TO PREVENT LATERAL ANKLE SPRAINS

The lateral ligament complex is the most frequently injured single structure in the body. The purpose of this study was to investigate how minimizing lateral shoe-surface friction could aid in the prevention of lateral ankle sprains. Two initial studies were carried out to examine the effect of reduced lateral friction during two typical but different indoor sports movements. Ankle joint moments were analyzed using an inverse dynamics model and revealed that minimizing lateral shoe-surface friction does not affect performance and ground contact mechanics during typical indoor sports movements. These movements are in general performed with a medial initial contact. Based on these results, a future test protocol is outlined testing the preventative effect of Spraino® Slide when initial contact is carried out with an initially supinated foot position during landing and cutting situations