Kofa: A Soccer Cleat Designed for The Female Athlete
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Date
2024-06-14
Authors
Prempeh, Maxwell A.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
Many women find themselves playing in cleats designed to accommodate men’s
movements. This has led to a surge of injuries in the lower extremities for women in football that
includes ligaments strains and tears in the knees, ankles, and feet. Black women playing at
historically black colleges and universities suffer largely from being unsupported, overlooked,
and overwhelmingly underfunded. As a result, these institutions find themselves being incapable
of replacing damaged cleats for players who are unable to afford new ones, leading them to play
in footwear that not only isn’t made for them but, now puts both their health and performance at
risk.This research paper will address the designing of cleats that aim to mitigate lower extremity
injuries in women’s soccer, while also addressing the sport from a socioeconomic standpoint
regarding the lack of diversity and representation in the game. The goal is to address this issue on
a foundational level in hopes of seeing this minority continue to make their impacts felt on the
highest level.
Description
150 pages
Keywords
football, women's soccer, cletes, soccer footwear, ACL tears, competitive soccer, black women