Football boots are marketed with emphasis on a single key performance characteristic (e.g. speed). Little is known on how design parameters impact players` performance. This study investigated the impact of boot design on performance maintenance and perceived foot comfort during a 90-minute match simulation drill. Eleven male university football players tested two commercially available "sprint boots" known to generate significantly different plantar pressures (high=Boot H and low=Boot L). Players completed a modified Soccer-specific Aerobic Field Test on a 3G pitch. Heart rate, rated perceived exertion and perceived foot discomfort were assessed for each 15-min interval. Power generation was assessed pre- and post-match simulation. A significantly higher mean heart rate was seen for Boot L in the 60th-75th and 75th-90th minute intervals (P = 0.017, P = 0.012 respectively). Perceived exertion did not differ between boots (P = 0.302). Power generation significantly decreased in Boot H between pre- and post-match (P = 0.042). Both boots increased discomfort with significantly more plantar discomfort felt in the last 30 min in Boot H (75th min: P = 0.037; 90th min: P = 0.048). The results imply that a comfortable boot design may improve maintenance of performance during match-play.
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