Cleats May Be a Risk Factor for ACL Tears in Female Lacrosse and Soccer Players

Female athletes who wore cleats were more likely to tear their ACL when compared with sport- and age-matched athletes who wore turf shoes. Wearing turf shoes as opposed to cleats appears to be associated with a reduced risk of ACL tears in high-level female athletes. Cleats with long, conical studs, especially around the perimeter of the cleat, were associated with increased odds for ACL tear and were more common in the 128 athletes in this study who tore their ACLs. Based on this information, we recommend further exploration for a shoe that prevents shoe wear from being an additional risk factor for ACL injuries in female athletes.