ITEPU ENOSETALE JUDITH FAVOUR

Background/Purpose of the study: Football-related injuries remain prevalent among professional players, particularly in the lower limbs, where inappropriate footwear and lack of orthotic use contribute significantly to performance decline and increased injury risk. This study investigated the influence of footwear and orthotics usage on sports engagement among male professional footballers in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. It addressed the gap in empirical data regarding equipment choices and their biomechanical implications for injury prevention and sustained performance in low-resource football settings. Methods: A cross-sectional analytic design was adopted, involving 91 male professional footballers from clubs registered with the Nigerian Professional Football League and National Nationwide League. Data were collected using standardized instruments, including the Footwear Assessment Tool, Orthotic Satisfaction Survey, and the Sport Engagement Scale. Descriptive statistics summarized participant characteristics, while chi-square was used to determine associations between footwear and orthotic usage, players’ demographics, and sports engagement, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Findings revealed that most participants (63%) used firm-ground football boots designed for natural grass surfaces, with 68% reporting limited access to high-quality footwear due to cost and availability constraints. Among 91 male footballers, 59.3% wore shoes with 0–2.5 cm heels and 64.8% semi-curved lasts. Good shoe fit was reported by 67%, and 30.8% used orthoses, 80% of which reduced pain. Significant associations (p < 0.05) existed between shoe age, upper/outsole materials, and training persistence; lateral midsole hardness affected enthusiasm and immersion. Conclusion: The study concluded that appropriate footwear and orthotic usage positively influenced performance, comfort, and injury prevention among male professional footballers in Benin City. It recommended increased awareness, access to affordable orthotic devices, and inclusion of podiatric assessments in sports medicine programs to enhance player safety and career longevity in Nigeria’s professional football landscape.