Plantar Support in Youth Soccer Players. Morphofunctional Implications for Injury Prevention
Abstract
This study aimed to characterize plantar support in a sample of youth soccer players from the province of Las Tunas, Cuba, as part of a prophylactic strategy to reduce injury risk. A quantitative, descriptive methodology was employed with a sample of 16 players. Plantar support was assessed using the Hernández Corvo index. The results revealed a high prevalence of cavus foot (moderate to severe), more frequently in the left foot, along with a significant proportion of bilateral asymmetries between both feet. These findings suggest a structural predisposition that could negatively affect technical performance and musculoskeletal health in athletes. It is concluded that systematic evaluation of plantar support should be integrated into the sports training process to reduce the risk of postural dysfunction and overuse injuries. Personalized interventions and multidisciplinary follow-up are also recommended. This study provides relevant evidence for the design of prophylactic strategies in youth soccer.
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