Biomechanical inequity and the urgent need for sex-specific footwear in women’s soccer
by Colin Pennington, Maxwell Prempeh , Carly Ellman
Insight - Sports Science, Vol.8, No.1, 2026;
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Women’s soccer remains shadowed by a persistent disparity in resources and specialized equipment. This commentary article synthesizes current research to explore the intersection of biomechanical risk factors, injury prevalence, and gender-blind equipment design. Female athletes face alarmingly high rates of non-contact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, driven by distinct physiological factors such as increased knee valgus, altered muscle activation patterns, and unique landing mechanics. These vulnerabilities are frequently exacerbated by soccer footwear that is traditionally designed for male anatomy and simply scaled down for women, an approach that ignores critical differences in foot morphology and biomechanics. Beyond physical safety, the article highlights the psychosocial consequences of this inequity, noting that a lack of gender-responsive equipment undermines athlete confidence, self-efficacy, and perceived value. By advocating for a paradigm shift toward interdisciplinary, user-centered design, this commentary calls for innovative solutions in kinesiology and sports medicine to ensure the long-term health, performance, and equitable participation of female soccer players.
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