Midterm effects of ankle joint supports on sensomotor and sport-specific capabilities.
Twenty-one subjects with functional ankle instabilities were provided with an ankle support for all athletic and other physical activities for 3 months. Standardized tests were carried out at the beginning and after 3 weeks, 6 weeks, and 3 months. The following evaluation methods were used: KAT-2000 (static and dynamic), side stepping over 8 m, isokinetic force (Cybex 6000), angle reproduction test, SF-36 score, and Weber ankle score. Use of the ankle support improved both sensomotor and sport-specific abilities, particularly regarding dynamic requirements such as in the dynamic KAT-2000 test. Subjects using the support with functional ankle instability also demonstrated improved sport-specific capabilities such as those required in the fast side-step run. We observed no negative effect on sport-specific skills requiring joint stabilization isokinetic strength, even after 3 months. This was also the case with mobility in the talocrural joint and speed in the side-step run. Our findings demonstrate that even after 3 months there are no detrimental effects on sport-specific skills that require joint stabilization.
Jerosch
J
J
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Johanna-Etienne-Hospital, Neuss, Germany.
Schoppe
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000843:Ankle Joint; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000145:classification / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D001915:Braces / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000145:classification / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011434:Proprioception; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D011788:Quality of Life; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors