Ankle taping improves proprioception before and after exercise in young men.

Ankle sprains are common sports injuries. Inadequate foot position awareness is thought to be the fundamental cause of these injuries. Ankle taping may decrease risk of injury through improving foot position awareness. The benefit of taping is thought to decrease with duration of exercise because of poor tape adherence to human skin. This study was a randomized, crossover, controlled comparison experiment that tested the hypothesis that ankle taping improves foot position awareness before and after exercise. A sample of 24 healthy young blindfolded volunteers, wearing their own athletic shoes, indicated perceived slope direction and estimated slope amplitude when bearing full body weight and standing on a series of blocks. The top slope of the blocks varied between 0 degree and 25 degrees, in 2.5 degrees increments, to orient the plantar surface with respect to the leg toward pronation, supination, plantarflexion, and dorsiflexion, relative to its position on a flat surface. Foot position awareness, which was considered the reciprocal of surface slope estimate error, varied with testing condition, particularly when surface slope was greater than 10 degrees, presumably the most important range considering ankle injuries. In this higher range absolute position error was 4.23 degrees taped, and 5.53 degrees untaped (P < 0.001). Following exercise, in the higher range absolute position error was 2.5% worse when taped and 35.5% worse when untaped (P < 0.001). These data support the hypothesis that ankle taping improves proprioception before and after exercise. They also indicate that foot position awareness declines with exercise. Compared to barefoot data (position error 1.97 degrees), foot position error was 107.5% poorer with athletic footwear when untaped (absolute position error 4.11 degrees), and 58.1% worse when taped (position error 3.13 degrees). This suggests that ankle taping partly corrects impaired proprioception caused by modern athletic footwear and exercise. Footwear could be optimized to reduce the incidence of these injuries.     

The effect of ankle taping or bracing on proprioception in functional ankle instability: A systematic review and meta-analysis

ObjectivesTo determine if wearing an ankle brace or taping the ankle, compared to no brace or tape, improves proprioceptive acuity in people with a history of ankle sprain or functional ankle instability.DesignSystematic review and meta-analysis.MethodsStudies using controlled, cross-over designs whereby participants who had sprained their ankle at least once or had functional ankle instability, underwent some form of proprioceptive sensation testing with and without ankle brace or tape, were included. Proprioceptive acuity was reported for the ankle tape/brace condition and the condition where no tape or brace was worn. Meta-analysis was employed to compare proprioceptive acuity with and without ankle tape/brace.ResultsEight studies were included in the review. Studies measured either sense of movement or sense of joint position. The mean differences in 19 of 32 comparisons were not significant. Of the remaining mean differences, 10 were positive, indicating better proprioceptive acuity in the taped/braced condition and 3 were negative, indicating poorer proprioceptive acuity. Overall, there was no significant effect with ankle tape/brace compared to the no tape/brace condition (mean difference: 0.08°, 95% CI: ?0.39 to 0.55). This finding was consistent when the two aspects of proprioception (sense of movement or joint position) were considered separately.ConclusionsThe pooled evidence suggests that using an ankle brace or ankle tape has no effect on proprioceptive acuity in participants with recurrent ankle sprain or who have functional ankle instability.     

Comparison of 3 preventive methods to reduce the recurrence of ankle inversion sprains in male soccer players

BACKGROUND: Ankle sprains are frequent injuries in soccer. Several strategies can be used to prevent further ankle sprains in athletes: the most common are proprioceptive training, strength training, and orthoses. OBJECTIVE: To investigate which of these 3 interventions is the most effective in preventing ankle sprains in athletes with previous ankle inversion sprain. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1. METHODS AND MEASURES: Eighty male soccer players (age, 24.6 +/- 2.63 years; height, 175.60 +/- 4.36 cm; weight, 64.26 +/- 8.37 kg) in the first division of a men's league who had experienced previous ankle inversion sprain were randomly selected from an original population of 120 players. The subjects were individually and randomly assigned to 4 study groups: group 1 (n = 20) followed the proprioceptive program, group 2 (n = 20) followed the strength program, group 3 (n = 20) used orthoses, and group 4 (n = 20) was the control group. Data on the frequency of ankle sprain reinjury were collected at the end of the session. RESULTS: There were no significant differences among the groups in the number of exposures. The incidence of ankle sprains in players in the proprioception training group was significantly lower than in the control group (relative risk of injury, 0.13; 95% confidence interval, 0.003-0.93; P = .02). The findings with respect to the strength and orthotic groups in comparison with the control group were not significant (relative risk of injury, 0.5; 95% confidence interval, 0.11-1.87; P = .27 for strength; relative risk of injury, 0.25; 95% confidence interval, 0.03-1.25; P = .06 for orthotic group). CONCLUSION: Proprioceptive training, compared with no intervention, was an effective strategy to reduce the rate of ankle sprains among male soccer players who suffered ankle sprain.     

Intrinsic risk factors for inversion ankle sprains in male subjects: a prospective study

BACKGROUND: Many variables have been retrospectively associated with ankle sprains. However, very little is known about factors predisposing people to these injuries. HYPOTHESIS: Measurable intrinsic factors might predispose male athletes to ankle sprains. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. METHODS: A total of 241 male physical education students were evaluated for possible intrinsic risk factors for inversion sprains at the beginning of their academic study. The evaluated intrinsic risk factors included anthropometrical characteristics, functional motor performances, ankle joint position sense, isokinetic ankle muscle strength, lower leg alignment characteristics, postural control, and muscle reaction time during a sudden inversion perturbation. Subjects were followed prospectively for 1 to 3 years. RESULTS: A total of 44 (18%) of the 241 male subjects sustained an inversion sprain; 4 sprained both ankles. Cox regression analysis revealed that male subjects with slower running speed, less cardiorespiratory endurance, less balance, decreased dorsiflexion muscle strength, decreased dorsiflexion range of motion, less coordination, and faster reaction of the tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius muscles are at greater risk of ankle sprains. CONCLUSION: Based on our findings, it is suggested that running speed, cardiorespiratory endurance, balance, dorsiflexion strength, coordination, muscle reaction, and dorsiflexion range of motion at the ankle are associated with the risk of ankle inversion sprains in male subjects.     

Single leg balance test to identify risk of ankle sprains

Background

Ankle sprains are a common and potentially disabling injury. Successful prediction of susceptibility to ankle sprain injury with a simple test could allow ankle sprain prevention protocols to be initiated and help prevent disability in the athletic population.

Objective

To investigate the ability of the single leg balance (SLB) test, carried out at preseason physical examination, to predict an ankle sprain during the autumn sports season.

Design

Prospective cohort study

Setting

High school varsity athletics and intercollegiate athletics.

Main outcome measure

Ankle sprains in athletes with positive SLB tests.

Results

The association between a positive SLB test and future ankle sprains was significant. Controlling for confounding variables, the relative risk for an ankle sprain with a positive SLB test was 2.54 (95% confidence interval, 1.02 to 6.03). Athletes with a positive SLB test who did not tape their ankles had an increased likelihood of developing ankle sprains. The relative risk for ankle sprain for a positive SLB test and negative taping was 8.82 (1.07 to 72.70). A history of previous ankle injury was not associated with future ankle sprains in this study. The κ value for interrater reliability for the SLB test was 0.898 (p<0.001).

Conclusions

An association was demonstrated between a positive SLB test and ankle sprain. In athletes with a positive SLB test, not taping the ankle imposed an increased risk of sprain. The SLB test is a reliable and valid test for predicting ankle sprains.     

Taping of the ankle — the effect on postural sway during perturbation,before and after a training session

The application of adhesive tape to the ankle prevents spains and is therefore frequently used by athletes with functional instability of that joint. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of taping on postural sway during a sudden perturbation in subjects with unilateral functional instability of the ankle joint. Nine Swedish male elite soccer players with unilateral functional instability of the ankle joint after a sprain participated in the study. Their mean age was 25 years. All but one had sustained an ankle sprain during the last 1–12 months, and they applied adhesive tape on one ankle at every practice session and game. Eight moderately active male subjects served as controls (mean age 32 years). Recording and analysis of postural sway was performed by the use of stabilometry. We used a device previously tested for reliability and added a perturbation device. The perturbation device was an ankle disc standing on four bars on top of the force plate. At the start of each recording, the ankle disc was stable. The bars could be removed simultaneously by the test leader. The following parameters were analysed: (1) max sway, the maximal sway amplitude upon perturbation in mediolateral and anteroposterior directions; (2) mean sway, the mean sway during the recording in mediolateral and anteroposterior directions. There was no difference between the right and left ankles before the practice session. The postural sway during perturbation (max sway) decreased when the ankle was taped before the exercise. After the exercise there was no difference between the taped and untaped ankles. The maximum and mean amplitude of sway without tape were smaller after exercise than before exercise. The results in the present study indicate a positive effect of tape on postural sway during perturbation before a practice session. The decreased sway with an untaped ankle after the practice session could mean that the prophylactic effect of taping is most important during the first part of a practice session or a game. Warmer muscle units mean less uncontrolled muscle activity which could result in more effective stabilisation of the ankle joint.     

Biomechanical evaluation of different ankle orthoses in a simulated lateral ankle sprain in two different modes

Ankle orthoses are commonly used for prevention of recurrent ankle sprains. While there are some data on their functional performance or restriction of range of motion, there is little knowledge on the quantifiable passive mechanical effectiveness of various devices. This study aimed to determine the prophylactic stabilization effect for commonly prescribed ankle orthoses in a simulated recurrent ankle sprain. Eleven anatomic lower leg specimens were tested in plantar flexion and hindfoot inversion in a simulated ankle sprain in a quasi‐static and dynamic test mode at 0.5°/s and 50°/s internal rotation, respectively. Tests included intact specimens, same specimens with the ruptured anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL), followed by stabilization with five different semi‐rigid orthoses: AirGo Ankle Brace, Air Stirrup Ankle Brace, Dyna Ankle 50S1, MalleoLoc, and Aequi. Compared to the injured and unprotected state, two orthoses (AirGo and Air Stirrup) significantly reinforced the ankle. The Aequi ankle brace restored stability comparable to an intact joint. Dyna Ankle 50S1 and MalleoLoc provided insufficient resistance to applied internal rotation compared to the ankle with ruptured ATFL. Ankle orthoses varied significantly in their ability to stabilize the unstable ankle during an ankle sprain in both testing modes. Presented objective data on passive stabilization reveal a lack of supporting evidence for clinical application of ankle orthoses.     

Ankle joint proprioception and postural control in basketball players with bilateral ankle sprains

BACKGROUND: Deficiencies in ankle proprioception and standing balance in basketball players with multiple ankle sprains have been reported in separate studies. However, the question of how ankle proprioceptive inputs and postural control in stance are related is still unclear. HYPOTHESIS: Ankle repositioning errors and the amount of postural sway in stance are increased in basketball players with multiple ankle sprains. STUDY DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. METHODS: Twenty healthy male basketball players and 19 male basketball players who had suffered bilateral ankle sprains within the past 2 years were examined. Both groups were similar in age. Passive ankle joint repositioning errors at 5 degrees of plantar flexion were used to test for ankle joint proprioception. The Sensory Organization Test was applied with dynamic posturography to assess postural sway angle under 6 sensory conditions. RESULTS: A significant increase in ankle repositioning errors was demonstrated in basketball players with bilateral ankle sprains (P < .05). The mean errors in the right and left ankles were increased from 1.0 degrees (standard deviation, 0.4 degrees ) and 0.8 degrees (standard deviation, 0.2 degrees ), respectively, in the healthy players to 1.4 degrees (standard deviation, 0.7 degrees ) and 1.1 degrees (standard deviation, 0.5 degrees ) in the injured group. A significant increase in the amount of postural sway in the injured subjects was also found in conditions 1, 2, and 5 of the Sensory Organization Test (P < .05). Furthermore, there were positive associations between averaged errors in repositioning both ankles and postural sway angles in conditions 1, 2, and 3 of the Sensory Organization Test (r = 0.39-0.54, P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Ankle repositioning errors and postural sway in stance increased in basketball players with multiple ankle sprains. A positive relationship was found between these 2 variables. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Such findings highlight the need for the rehabilitation of patients with multiple ankle sprains to include proprioceptive and balance training.     

Intrinsic risk factors for inversion ankle sprains in females--a prospective study

Ankle sprains are extremely common. However, very little is known about the variables that predispose individuals to these injuries. The purpose of this study was to examine prospectively intrinsic risk factors for inversion sprains in a young physically active female population. One hundred and fifty-nine female physical education students were evaluated for several possible intrinsic risk factors for inversion sprains at the beginning of their academic study. The evaluated intrinsic risk factors included anthropometrical and physical characteristics, ankle joint position sense, isokinetic ankle muscle strength, lower leg alignment characteristics, postural control and muscle reaction time during a sudden inversion perturbation. All sports injuries were registered during 1-3 years and exposure to sport was recorded (mean: 15.33+/-4.33 h a week). Thirty-two (20%) of the 159 females sprained their ankle. The number of ankle sprains per 1000 h of sports exposure was 0.75. The Cox regression analysis revealed that females with less accurate passive joint inversion position sense [hazard ratio (HR): 1.08, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02-1.14 for absolute error at 15 degrees inversion], a higher extension range of motion at the first metatarsophalangeal joint (HR: 1.03, 95% CI: 1.00-1.06) and less coordination of postural control (HR: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.93-1.00 for endpoint excursion; HR: 0.94, 95% CI: 0.89-0.99 for maximal endpoint excursion) are at greater risk of an ankle sprain. The findings of this study suggest that effective prevention and conservative rehabilitation of ankle inversion sprains should include attention to these variables.     

Comparison of three preventive methods in order to reduce the incidence of ankle inversion sprains among female volleyball players

BACKGROUND: Ankle sprains are the most common form of acute injury in volleyball. A prevention programme consisting of technical training, proprioceptive training, and external support was previously designed to reduce the rate of ankle sprains in volleyball players. OBJECTIVE: To investigate which of these three interventions is the most effective in preventing ankle sprain in female volleyball players. METHODS: Participants were 52 players who suffered ankle sprains during the season 1998-1999. They were divided randomly into three preventive groups: group 1 (n = 18) followed the technical training programme; group 2 (n = 17) followed the proprioceptive programme; group 3 (n = 17) used orthosis. The players followed their respective programmes for the whole of the 1999-2000 season. Data were collected at the end of the season. RESULTS: The three preventive strategies were all effective in preventive further ankle sprain. Technical training was slightly more effective than the other two methods. Orthosis was not effective in athletes who had suffered ankle sprains more than three times during their careers. Under those circumstances, technical training and proprioceptive training were equally effective at preventive further sprains. CONCLUSIONS: Technical training and proprioceptive training are effective methods of preventing ankle sprain in volleyball players who have suffered this injury four or more times during their career. Orthosis appears effective only in players with fewer than four previous sprains.     

The effect of a proprioceptive balance board training program for the prevention of ankle sprains: a prospective controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Ankle sprains are the most common injuries in a variety of sports. HYPOTHESIS: A proprioceptive balance board program is effective for prevention of ankle sprains in volleyball players. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective controlled study. METHODS: There were 116 male and female volleyball teams followed prospectively during the 2001-2002 season. Teams were randomized by 4 geographical regions to an intervention group (66 teams, 641 players) and control group (50 teams, 486 players). Intervention teams followed a prescribed balance board training program; control teams followed their normal training routine. The coaches recorded exposure on a weekly basis for each player. Injuries were registered by the players within 1 week after onset. RESULTS: Significantly fewer ankle sprains in the intervention group were found compared to the control group (risk difference = 0.4/1000 playing hours; 95% confidence interval, 0.1-0.7). A significant reduction in ankle sprain risk was found only for players with a history of ankle sprains. The incidence of overuse knee injuries for players with history of knee injury was increased in the intervention group. History of knee injury may be a contraindication for proprioceptive balance board training. CONCLUSIONS: Use of proprioceptive balance board program is effective for prevention of ankle sprain recurrences.     

Meniscoid lesions of the ankle in soccer players

In 1950, Wolin and his colleagues described nine patients who exhibited a "meniscoid" lesion of the ankle. He used this term to describe a mass of hyalinized tissue that formed following an inversion sprain of the ankle. This band of tissue was predisposed to trapping between the fibula and the talus. His patients presented with persistent pain and swelling over the anterior aspect of the ankle. In the last 3 years, four patients have presented with this lesion at the Methodist Sports Medicine Center in Indianapolis. They were all soccer players who had experienced repeated ankle sprains accompanied by persistent pain, swelling and trapping. Initially, these patients were treated with physical therapy, taping, and antiinflammatory medication. After 6 months of treatment, they continued to have symptoms and underwent arthroscopic examination. In each case a band of white, fibrous tissue was found during surgery and was removed. After an appropriate period of rehabilitation, all four patients returned to competition with a cessation of symptoms. However, one patient reported recurrent pain on rare occasions.     

Role of ankle taping and bracing in the athlete.

Adhesive tape is often used to help athletes recover from ligament sprains of the ankle or to prevent further injury. The choice of taping technique or material is often decided by personal preference, superstition, or anecdote. More recently, the use of ankle braces has become more prevalent, but reasons for their use are similarly variable. As ankle sprains are a major cause of an athlete's disability and time off sport, the choice of the method of support should be more scientifically reasoned. This paper attempts to review the literature concerning the effects of various methods of ankle support on swelling, stability, range of movement, proprioception, muscle function, gait, and performance tests. There is still some contradiction in the literature about the effects of taping and braces in both the acute and chronic phases of ligament sprains of the ankle.     

The role of a posteriorly positioned fibula in ankle sprain

BACKGROUND: Specific anatomic variations of the ankle mortise may predispose people to ankle sprains. HYPOTHESIS: There is a correlation between a higher malleolar index (posteriorly positioned fibula) and incidence of ankle sprain. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective case control study. METHODS: We compared the malleolar index (transverse plane of the talus) on computerized axial tomographic images of 61 patients with ankle sprain with that of 101 normal controls. A positive number for the malleolar index meant that the lateral malleolus was posterior to the plane of the medial malleolus. A negative number meant that the lateral malleolus was actually anterior to the plane of the medial malleolus. RESULTS: The average malleolar index of the patients with ankle sprain was +11.5 degrees with a standard deviation of 7 degrees. Malleolar relationships varied from -6 degrees to +39 degrees, a range of 45 degrees. The average malleolar index in the control group was +5.85 degrees with a standard deviation of 4.9 degrees, which varied from -8 degrees to +16 degrees. However, there was no correlation between recurrence of sprains and malleolar index values. CONCLUSION: Patients with an ankle sprain were more likely to have a posteriorly positioned fibula, possibly predisposing them to ankle sprain.     

Risk factors for noncontact ankle sprains in high school football players: the role of previous ankle sprains and body mass index

BACKGROUND: In a previous study, we noted a possible connection between an athlete's weight and risk of ankle sprain. HYPOTHESIS: A high body mass index and a history of a previous ankle sprain increase the risk of a subsequent noncontact sprain. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. METHODS: One hundred fifty-two athletes from 4 football teams were observed (2 varsity and 2 junior varsity). Two teams were observed for 3 seasons, and 2 teams were observed for 1 season. Before each season, body mass, height, history of previous ankle sprains, and ankle tape or brace use were recorded. RESULTS: There were 24 ankle sprains, of which 15 were noncontact inversion sprains (11 grade I, 3 grade II, 1 grade III; incidence, 1.08 per 1000 athlete-exposures). Injury incidence was higher in athletes with previous ankle injuries (2.60 vs 0.39; P < .001). Body mass index was also a risk factor (P < .05): injury incidence was 0.52 for players with a normal body mass index, 1.05 for players at risk of overweight, and 2.03 for overweight players. Injury incidence was 0.22 for normal-weight players with no previous ankle sprain compared with 4.27 for overweight players who had a previous sprain. CONCLUSION: An overweight player who had a previous ankle sprain was 19 times more likely to sustain a noncontact ankle sprain than was a normal-weight player with no previous ankle sprain. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Ankle sprain prevention strategies should be targeted at football players with a high body mass index and a history of previous ankle sprains.     

Intrinsic predictive factors for ankle sprain in active university students: A prospective study

The ankle is the joint most affected among the sports‐related injuries. The current study investigated whether certain intrinsic factors could predict ankle sprains in active students. The 125 participants were submitted to a baseline assessment in a single session were then followed‐up for 52 weeks regarding the occurrence of sprain. The baseline assessment were performed in both ankles and included the questionnaire Cumberland ankle instability tool – Portuguese, the foot lift test, dorsiflexion range of motion, Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT), the side recognition task, body mass index, and history of previous sprain. Two groups were used for analysis: one with those who suffered an ankle sprain and the other with those who did not suffer an ankle sprain. After Cox regression analysis, participants with history of previous sprain were twice as likely to suffer subsequent sprains [hazard ratio (HR) 2.21 and 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.07–4.57] and people with better performance on the SEBT in the postero‐lateral (PL) direction were less likely to suffer a sprain (HR 0.96 and 95% CI 0.92–0.99). History of previous sprain was the strongest predictive factor and a weak performance on SEBT PL was also considered a predictive factor for ankle sprains.     

The placebo effect of ankle taping in ankle instability

PURPOSE: Recurrence of ankle sprains is common among athletes. Although ankle taping reduces the risk of injury, the mechanism underlying its effectiveness remains unclear. Anecdotal reports suggest a role of the belief among athletes that taping will protect them from injury. That is, taping may have a placebo effect. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether there was a placebo effect with ankle taping in individuals with ankle instability. METHODS: Thirty participants with ankle instability completed a hopping test and a modified star excursion balance test under three conditions: (i) real tape, (ii) placebo tape, and (iii) control (no tape). Participants were blinded to the purpose of the study and were informed that the study aimed to compare two methods of ankle taping referred to as mechanical (real) and proprioceptive (placebo). The order of testing the three conditions and the two functional tests was randomized. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in performance among the three conditions for the hopping test (P = 0.865) or the modified star excursion balance test (P = 0.491). However, a secondary exploratory analysis revealed that participants' perceptions of stability, confidence, and reassurance increased with both real and placebo ankle taping when performing the functional tasks. CONCLUSION: The role of the placebo effect of ankle taping in individuals with ankle instability remains unclear. Clinicians should, therefore, continue to use ankle-taping techniques of known efficacy. They should, however, focus on maximizing patients' beliefs in the efficacy of ankle taping, because its application reassured participants and improved their perceived stability and confidence. The effect of ankle taping on participants' perceptions may contribute to its effectiveness in preventing injury.     

Do voluntary strength,proprioception, range of motion,or postural sway predict occurrence of lateral ankle sprain?

Prevention of ankle sprain, the most common sporting injury, is only possible once risk factors have been identified. Voluntary strength, proprioception, postural sway, and range of motion are possible risk factors. A systematic review was carried out to investigate these possibilities. Eligible studies were those with longitudinal design investigating ankle sprain in subjects aged > or = 15 years. The studies had to have measured range of motion, voluntary strength, proprioception, or postural sway before monitoring incidence of lateral ankle sprain. Dorsiflexion range strongly predicted risk of ankle sprain. Postural sway and possibly proprioception were also predictors. Therefore the preliminary evidence suggests that people with reduced ankle dorsiflexion range may be at increased risk of ankle sprain.     

Seven years follow-up after ankle inversion trauma

During one year all ankle inversion injuries seen at the acute ward of our institution were divided into grades of severity and classified according to the maximal area of tenderness at the time of clinical examination. Seven years later 648 of the subjects (91%) evaluated their ankle with the help of a questionnaire. Location of maximal tenderness at the time of injury was: lateral fibular ligaments 61%, lateral midfoot ligaments 24%, base of the fifth metatarsal/peroneal tendons 5% and combined lesions 8%. 39% were considered minor, 46% were moderate, and 15% severe. All cases followed a functional treatment protocol. Seven years post- injury 32% reported chronic complaints of pain, swelling or recurrent sprains. 72% of the subjects with residual disability reported that they were functionally impaired by their ankle - in most cases a question of not performing sports at a desired level. 4% experienced pain at rest and were severely disabled. 19% were bothered by repeated inversion injuries - 43% of these subjects felt that they could compensate by using an external ankle support. There was no correlation between the severity of the sprain as judged at the time of injury and the frequency of residual disability or between the area of maximal tenderness at the time of injury and the area of maximal pain at the time of follow-up.     

Prophylactic ankle stabilizers affect ankle joint kinematics during drop landings.

PURPOSE: Ankle joint dorsiflexion contributes to energy absorption during landing, but wearing ankle stabilizers is known to restrict passive measures of dorsiflexion. This study compared the effects of various ankle stabilizers on ankle joint kinematics during soft and stiff landings. METHODS: Subjects (N = 14) performed two-legged landings off a 0.59-m platform. Kinematics of the right ankle were calculated from a sagittal plane video recording (120 Hz). Five soft and five stiff landings were performed in five ankle stabilizer conditions (no stabilizer, taping, Swede-O, AirCast, and Active Ankle), a total of 50 trials per subject. Style and stabilizer conditions were randomized across subjects. Each subject's five-trial mean value of selected kinematic variables for each landing style/stabilizer condition was entered into a two-way repeated MANOVA (alpha = 0.05). RESULTS: Differences between soft and stiff landing conditions were similar to those reported in the literature. Compared with the No stabilizer condition, most stabilizer conditions significantly reduced ankle dorsiflexion ROM and angular velocity during landing. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that some ankle stabilizers adversely affect ankle joint kinematics during landing.