title: Balance training improves function and postural control in those with chronic ankle instability.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to determine the effect of a 4-wk balance training program on static and dynamic postural control and self-reported functional outcomes in those with chronic ankle instability (CAI).
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-one young adults with self-reported CAI were randomly assigned to an intervention group (six males and 10 females) or a control group (six males and nine females). The intervention consisted of a 4-wk supervised balance training program that emphasized dynamic stabilization in single-limb stance. Main outcome measures included the following: self-reported disability on the Foot and Ankle Disability Index (FADI) and the FADI Sport scales; summary center of pressure (COP) excursion measures including area of a 95% confidence ellipse, velocity, range, and SD; time-to-boundary (TTB) measures of postural control in single-limb stance including the absolute minimum TTB, mean of TTB minima, and SD of TTB minima in the anteroposterior and mediolateral directions with eyes open and closed; and reach distance in the anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral directions of the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The balance training group had significant improvements in the FADI and the FADI Sport scores, in the magnitude and the variability of TTB measures with eyes closed, and in reach distances with the posteromedial and the posterolateral directions of the SEBT. Only one of the summary COP-based measures significantly changed after balance training.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Four weeks of balance training significantly improved self-reported function, static postural control as detected by TTB measures, and dynamic postural control as assessed with the SEBT. TTB measures were more sensitive at detecting improvements in static postural control compared with summary COP-based measures.
authors.affiliation: College of Health Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536-0200, USA. Patrick.McKeon@uky.edu
authors.forename: Patrick O
authors.initials: PO
authors.lastname: McKeon
authors.forename: Christopher D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Ingersoll
authors.forename: D Casey
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Kerrigan
authors.forename: Ethan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Saliba
authors.forename: Bradford C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Bennett
authors.forename: Jay
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hertel
mesh_terms: D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D004856:Postural Balance; D055815:Young Adult