Improving footwear for male netball players

Background: Netball-specific shoes are the primary interface between the foot and the ground for netball players, providing protection and support to the foot during high-impact and multi-directional movements. Despite the recent growth of males participating in netball and the importance of wearing netball-specific shoes to reduce the risk of injuries and enhance performance, researchers and footwear manufacturers have largely neglected the footwear needs of male netball players. Improvements to current netball-specific shoe designs are necessary to improve shoe fit and functionality and accommodate all players.

Research Question: The overall aim of this thesis was to systematically identify netball player preferences and design features that influenced the fit, comfort and functionality of netball-specific shoes to develop evidence-based recommendations to improve footwear for netball players, specifically males.

Methods: A series of two studies, presented in three parts, were conducted to address the overall thesis aim. Part I involved 2,925 amateur, sub-elite and elite netball players (female: n = 2646; male: n = 279) completing an online survey to document the current footwear profiles and foot-related problems of netball players and determine whether these differed between sexes (Chapter 2). Part II then aimed to determine the satisfaction levels of male netball players with their current footwear (Chapter 3) and establish their preferences for ideal netball-specific shoe design (Chapter 4). Part III collected comprehensive three-dimensional foot shape data from 502 sub-elite and elite netball players (female: n = 251; male: n = 251) to characterise the foot shape of netball players and determine whether there were any sex differences (Chapter 5). Additionally, foot types were classified to understand why it is necessary to design netball-specific shoes for each sex and size (Chapter 6). Finally, the two studies were used to create recommendations to improve footwear for netball players, particularly males (Chapter 7).

Major Conclusions: Current netball-specific shoes do not meet the fit, comfort and functionality requirements of netball players, particularly males. There is a high prevalence of foot-related problems and pain in netball and a large proportion of netball players, particularly males, choose to wear other shoe types in lieu of netball-specific shoes. Not only are male netball players dissatisfied with their current footwear, but quantitative evidence shows the shape and foot type classifications of male and female netball players’ feet differ significantly. Netball shoe manufacturers must consider these sex differences when designing shoes and develop unique lasts for each sex, foot size and type to better cater to the feet of netball players. In addition, it is recommended that a more extensive range of shoe sizes and widths be available to netball players. Specifically for males, netball-specific shoes should have a wider toe-box, more durable material in the upper and outsole and additional cushioning and support in the midsole and insole. By incorporating evidence-based recommendations, the fit, comfort and functionality of netball-specific shoes may be improved and, in turn, reduce foot-related problems and pain and optimise netball performance.