Wearing Cleats Influences Post Exercise Blood Flow To The Foot

Over 20% of field-based athletes experience plantar heel pain, often linked to fasciopathy. Cleats, common in this population, are tight and may restrict blood flow to the foot, potentially compromising structures like the plantar fascia and increase risk of fasciopathy. PURPOSE: Examine the impact of wearing cleats on blood flow to the feet following exercise. METHODS: 19 individuals (7 female; 12 males); age = 22.7 ± 2.0 yrs; weight = 70.3 ± 8.8 kg; height = 175.1 ± 8.5 cm) with no lower extremity injuries completed a 40-minute data collection session on two separate days, one week apart. Participants experienced the shod/unshod conditions in random order. Arch height index and dominant foot of each participant were recorded, and cleats were laced to a perceived tightness of 6/10 on a VAS scale. Using a Logic Fortis and S8 machines with L8-18i probe, pulsed wave images of the posterior (PTA) and anterior (ATA) tibial arteries were simultaneously recorded in the dominant foot, before and after performing a modified version of the FIFA 11 warm-up. RESULTS: Compared to the unshod condition, when wearing cleats, eight (42.1%) of the 19 participants showed an overall decrease in blood flow in both the ATA and PTA post-exercise, six (31.6%) showed an overall increase in blood flow in one artery and decreased flow in the other, four (21.1%) showed an overall increase in blood flow in both the ATA and PTA, and one (5.3%) showed a decrease in blood flow in the PTA and no change in blood flow in the ATA. There was a significant difference in blood flow to the foot in the PTA between the post exercise unshod and shod condition in individuals who had a decrease in either the ATA or PTA or both compared to those who had an increase in both (p = 0.0006). 13 participants showed a significant decrease in blood flow in the PTA (p = 0.0001) while the other 6 showed a significant increase in PTA blood flow (p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Results reveal three patterns in blood flow response to cleat use: decreased flow in both arteries, mixed changes, and increased flow. Most individuals (73%) exhibit decreased blood flow to the foot through the posterior tibial artery (PTA), potentially raising the risk of plantar fasciopathy. Athletes who develop fasciopathy may be those who experience reduced blood flow to the foot. Therefore, athletes may benefit from cross training unshod.