title: A snapshot of chronic ankle instability in a cohort of netball players.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Ankle injuries account for the highest percentage of injuries in netball, yet the chronic nature of ankle sprains is under reported within this population group. Chronic ankle instability is a term used to describe certain insufficiencies that persist after an acute ankle sprain. The aim of this study was to investigate recurrent sprain, perceived ankle instability and mechanical ankle instability in a cohort of netball players.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety-six female netball players (24.1±7.9 years) were recruited (42 club players and 54 inter-district players). Recurrent sprain was defined as two or more lifetime sprains to the same ankle. Perceived ankle instability was quantified with the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool - Youth. Mechanical ankle instability was quantified via inversion-eversion rotations using an ankle arthrometer at torques of 3Nm.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-seven percent of the cohort had recurrently sprained an ankle. Of the 69 players with a previously sprained ankle, 64% had a moderate-severe degree of perceived ankle instability. The total inversion-eversion angle was 31.1±8.7 degrees. Club players had more cases of moderate-severe perceived ankle instability (p=0.01) and larger inversion-eversion angles (p=0.001) compared to inter-district players.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Recurrent ankle sprain and perceived ankle instability are easily identifiable aspects of chronic ankle instability shown to be prevalent within this cohort. Additional research is required to quantify a cut-off value for mechanical instability. Club netball players were found to have more counts of moderate-severe perceived ankle instability and larger inversion-eversion angles when compared to the inter-district netball players.
authors.affiliation: Exercise and Sport Science Discipline, The University of Sydney, Australia. Electronic address: aatt4376@uni.sydney.edu.au.
authors.forename: Alison S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Attenborough
authors.affiliation: Exercise and Sport Science Discipline, The University of Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Sinclair
authors.affiliation: Sydney University Sport & Fitness, The University of Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Tristan
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sharp
authors.affiliation: Exercise and Sport Science Discipline, The University of Sydney, Australia; Postgraduate Medical Institute, Anglia Ruskin University, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Greene
authors.affiliation: Exercise and Sport Science Discipline, The University of Sydney, Australia; School of Health and Sport Sciences, University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia.
authors.forename: Max
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stuelcken
authors.affiliation: Exercise and Sport Science Discipline, The University of Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Richard M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Research Group, The University of Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Claire E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Hiller
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016512:Ankle Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009517:New South Wales / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Ankle injury; Ankle joint; Joint instability; Sports; Sprain