Football is primarily a speed sport with players averaging 25-30 kilometres per game. The level and intensity of activity is therefore arguably the greatest of any weightbearing sport. It involves sudden, short changes in direction and cutting manouvres. Most players are of high body mass and therefore the risk and indeed incidence of anterior cruciate ligament injury is amongst the highest for any sport in the world. The game also involves kicking the ball distances of 60 metres or more with a very high degree of accuracy and jumping to catch the ball.
Football is a winter sport and is often played in very wet conditions.
As a result of this study radical changes to boot design have been implemented. These changes are expected to have a measurable effect on the incidence of injury in the sport. This paper outlines the results of the study and the changes to Australian Rules Football Boot design. The changes are expected to have a flow-through effect to other sports, especially soccer and rugby. During jumping, males exerted greater loads resulting in higher jump heights.