ABSTRACT
This chapter addresses knowledge of traction effects on players' acceleration, cutting, and turning performance under consideration of their lower extremity loading. It also addresses current knowledge of performance and injury prevention related to soccer traction. In soccer optimal traction of players is essential for game success as it translates directly into athletic performance. Competitive soccer has numerous performance demands, among them running performance is regarded a key aspect. Surface conditions and shoe outsole configurations alter the specific functionality of shoe-to-surface interaction, thereby influencing running performance. Shoe-to-surface interaction during soccer actions influences in particular lower extremity loading of players, also triggering specific alteration of lower leg kinematics. During traction analyses of shoe and surface combinations, there needs to be a distinction between mechanical availability and biomechanical utilization of traction. In both evaluation scenarios measured values are sensitive to alteration of shoe–surface combinations.
