Objectives To avoid injuries and keep up their performances, rugby players have to make relevant choices of footwear adapted to their individual specificities as well as to the type of turf and playing conditions. The diversity and heterogeneity of playing surfaces on which modern rugby is played make this choice all the more complicated. This study examines the relevance of a comparative functional protocol for a subjective assessment of footwear as well as the influence of the technical characteristics of different shoe models. Materials and methods Forty-two professional rugby players were tested on synthetic turf. They performed a series of controlled characteristic movements of rugby (jump reception, straight running, change of direction) with different shoe models. Procedure ended with a standardized subjective comparison of models including 7 criteria. Results Comparative tests between models tested for each player brought to significant differences (P < 0.05). Technical properties of the models having received the most favorable assessments were: screwed or hybrid cleats, aluminum cleats, circular cleat design and existence of arch support. Conclusions This protocol seems to be a relevant tool to help rugby players to choose the type of shoes according to their individual specificities and pitch conditions. What's more, results shed new light on the kind of cleats to be preferred on synthetic turf.
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