Risk Factors Of Stress Fracture Of The Fifth Metatarsal Bone In University Soccer Players

The purpose of this study was to investigate university soccer players with stress fracture of the fifth metatarsal bone regarding their physical factor, the relationship of such fracture with a history of sporting injuries, and the ground surfaces as well as shoes used. A total of 154 male soccer players from one university were evaluated between 2004 and 2010. The foot arch ratio, toe flexor muscle strength, Q-angle, leg-heel angle, one-leg standing time with eyes closed, range of motion (ROM) of the ankle joint, and general joint laxity were measured, and the Functional Reach Test was conducted at the time of admission to the university. The toe flexor muscle strength tended to be weaker in the injured (16.4+ or -1.9 kg) than in the non-injured (17.3+ or -4.9 kg) group (p=0.06). The Q-angle also tended to be smaller in the injured (13.9+ or -2.0 degrees) than in the non-injured (15.1+ or -4.9 degrees) group (p=0.07).