1. Objective

This project is to make easy on/off football boots for people with cerebral palsy who are struggling with wearing shoes. Also, it provides a function to adjust their own fit precisely.

There is a football for cerebral palsy(CP football), and 88 National teams globally. When I looked into the footwear industry, I was surprised to find very few sneakers for people with disabilities. Especially for CP football player, there are almost no boots for them.

I interviewed two Korean national CP Football players. They said it usually takes 10-15 minutes to take on shoes. Also, the shoelace is the most uncomfortable thing which interrupts wearing the shoes. Most players have a disability on one side of their body, so it is difficult to tie their shoelaces. Therefore, they always need their coach's help to tie them. Also, the shoelaces are often untied during the game, and in this case, players ask the referee for a time-out. Also, a disabled foot is often injured, and shoes must be removed quickly so that the foot can be healed.

So my objectives include:

- Easy and quick to wear/take off the shoes

- One-handed

- Adjust fit precisely

2. Feature

Through the whole process, every step I got feedback from the CP football players. So with the final prototype, they can wear it one-handed. The velcro is to the end of the lace for easy lockdown, and because it is located on the side, it is firmly held in place even with vigorous movement. The tongue structure that slopes to the side does not cause discomfort when kicking the ball, and the opening significantly increases when taking off the shoe.

1. Objective

This project is to make easy on/off football boots for people with cerebral palsy who are struggling with wearing shoes. Also, it provides a function to adjust their own fit precisely.

There is a football for cerebral palsy(CP football), and 88 National teams globally. When I looked into the footwear industry, I was surprised to find very few sneakers for people with disabilities. Especially for CP football player, there are almost no boots for them.

I interviewed two Korean national CP Football players. They said it usually takes 10-15 minutes to take on shoes. Also, the shoelace is the most uncomfortable thing which interrupts wearing the shoes. Most players have a disability on one side of their body, so it is difficult to tie their shoelaces. Therefore, they always need their coach's help to tie them. Also, the shoelaces are often untied during the game, and in this case, players ask the referee for a time-out. Also, a disabled foot is often injured, and shoes must be removed quickly so that the foot can be healed.

So my objectives include:

- Easy and quick to wear/take off the shoes

- One-handed

- Adjust fit precisely

2. Feature

Through the whole process, every step I got feedback from the CP football players. So with the final prototype, they can wear it one-handed. The velcro is to the end of the lace for easy lockdown, and because it is located on the side, it is firmly held in place even with vigorous movement. The tongue structure that slopes to the side does not cause discomfort when kicking the ball, and the opening significantly increases when taking off the shoe.

3. Material

The players don't like full-knitted boots. Because of the structure, it is too tight to wear it for them. So the boots are made of TPU fabric, which has been widely used recently in the sports industry, because it is light, soft and moderately hard. Also it has vast ankle foam to be a form-fitting football boot.

4. Fabrication techniques, manufacturing process.

The upper part of the prototype is made by hand. The sole part is made with 3D printing. But If it is assumed that mass production is carried out, it can be immediately released into the world because it can be made in the same way as a general shoe production process.

5. Social impact

Four in five (81 percent) disabled people would like to be more active.(1 and Only two in five (40 percent) disabled people feel they are given the opportunity to be as active as they would like to be.(2

Cerebral palsy is one of the most common diseases. And CP football is one of the most famous para-sports. Even in this situation, there is almost no football boots for people with disabilities.

Sports can improve everyone's health. There are many sports that are suitable for people with cerebral palsy, many of them can play like people without disabilities. Unfortunately, para-sports still do not receive equal public attention. Nevertheless, this sport can be a tool to offset these inequalities. The same goes for these football boots. With these boots, cerebral palsy players will be able to enjoy soccer more conveniently and safely. And more people will be able to enjoy CP football, which will have a healthy social impact.

1) Activity Alliance, Annual Disability and Activity Survey 2019-20

2) Sport England, Active Lives Adult Survey November 2017-18