Star excursion balance training: effects on ankle functional stability after ankle sprain.
OBJECTIVE
To study the effects of Star Excursion Balance training on functional stability of athletes with ankle sprain.


METHODS
Thirty-two male athletes with grade 2 ankle sprain, aged 15-22 years old were enrolled. They were random sampling into training group (n=15) and control group (n=17). All received conventional physical therapy program for 4 weeks. The training group also underwent the Star Excursion Balance training 3 days per week for 4 weeks. Single leg stance time (SLST) was assessed at pre- and post-training. Re-injuries were recorded during 3 months follow-up.


RESULTS
After the program, subjects from both groups demonstrated significant improvement in SLST The training group gained SLST of the injured sides 2 times more than the control group (p = 0.002 tested with eyes closed, p = 0. 007 tested with eyes open), and also improved the SLST during eyes closed of the normal sides (p = 0.015). Re-injuries were found in 1/15 of the training group and 2/17 of the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
Star Excursion Balance training is more effective than the conventional therapy program in improving functional stability of the sprained ankle.
Chaiwanichsiri
Dootchai
D
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand. dootchai@hotmail.com
Lorprayoon
Ead
E
Noomanoch
Lerson
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000842:Ankle / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016512:Ankle Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D004856:Postural Balance; D013177:Sports; D013178:Sports Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D013180:Sprains and Strains / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome