Left wind forward in football (soccer). Khinanthropometry and footprint analysis
Authors: Herrero de Lucas A. , Cabañas Armesilla M. D. , Maestre López I. 
Published: August 2020

Kinanthropometry is the study of size, shape, proportionality, body composition,

biological maturation and body function with the objective of understanding the process of growth,

exercise, sport performance and nutrition. It has been accepted measurements in the right side of the

subject as equivalent of the overall sportsman. Right and left side variations therefore have not been

sufficiently studied, particularly in left handed football players. Materials and Methods: Analysis of

5 professional footballers from the C.D. Leganés, S.A.D. was carried, being left dominant and by

their team position considered as left wing forwards. The method selected to study kinanthropometric

variables was established by Heath-Carter and followed by the ISAK-GREC (International Society

for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry and Grupo Español de Cineantropometría-Spanish Group

of Kinanthropometry-). Footprint obtained by the simplified Hernandez-Corvo methodology, being

classified as: flat, flat-normal, normal, normal-high arch, high arch, strong high arch and extreme

high arch, prior and subsequent to a football match. Informed consent attained as established by

local legislation. Statistics analysed by t-Student with a significance of 95% (p<0.05) and the

results processed by the PC statistical software SPSS 11.5. Results: Football players have a mean

height of 174.02 cm. and a mean weight of 75.32 Kg. Right foot mean length is 24.84 cm. and left foot

mean length is 24.96 cm., while right foot mean width is 9.73 cm. and left foot mean width is 9.60 cm.;

the footprint varies from normal prior to match to normal- high arch after the game, whereas left foot

remains normal-high arch all along. Total number of lesions accounted for 9 sprains in the right

ankle and 12 sprains in left ankle, 1 anterior cruciate ligament rupture and 1 menisectomy in the

right knee with 1 interior lateral ligament rupture and 1 menisectomy in the left knee. Discussion:

Data in variation of right and left side related to football is missing in international bibliography,

which may be important due to the fact of the general belief in football environment that left

dominant footballers are of better technique and therefore will have more chance of success in a

world ruled by financial interests. Notice to analysis remarks the fact whereas the mean left foot is

longer than the mean right foot, the mean right foot is wider than the mean left foot. Statistical

significant differences arise between left and right footprint prior and subsequent to a football

match, associated to statistical significant changes in various anthropometric measurements:

ileospinal, throcanteric and tibial heights; total superior extremity, arm, forearm, hand, thigh, leg

and foot lengths; subescapular, axillary, ileocrestal, supraspinal, thigh, leg and abdominal skinfolds;

epicondyle of humerus diameter and ankle perimeter. Conclusion: 1) Footprint modifies with football

practice. 2) Footprint differs in a football player in left and right feet prior and subsequent to a

football match, associated with statistical discrepancies between various right and left

kinanthropometric variables. 3) Broader population must be studied to better value the repercussion

of football practice in footprint. 4) Research must be completed in order to analyse modification in

right handed football players. 5) Research must be completed in order to analyse modification of

footprint because of sport practice. 6) Research must be completed to observe differences with

similar population detailing in certain sportive gestures (running, jumping, swimming, etc.).