Hip Flexibility and Dynamic Balance Ability in Soccer Players with Functional Ankle Instability

Yuri Inoue,Keita Shimura,Akihiro Tamura

doi:10.3390/traumacare1030018

Abstract

The prevention of recurrent ankle sprain and functional ankle instability in soccer players is essential. This study clarified hip joint mobility and dynamic balance ability in soccer players with functional ankle instability. This case–control study included 17 male college soccer players. All participants were assessed using the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool and were divided into chronic ankle instability (CAI) and non-CAI groups for each of their dominant and nondominant legs. Bilateral passive hip range of motion (ROM) was assessed and the modified Star Excursion Balance Test (mSEBT) was measured for each leg. In the dominant leg, the reach in the posterolateral direction in the CAI group was significantly less than that in the non-CAI group. Hip internal rotation angles in the dominant leg in the CAI group were greater than those in the non-CAI group; however, no significant correlations with the three directions of mSEBT were observed. In the nondominant leg, mSEBT and hip ROMs did not show any significant differences between groups. The dominant leg in soccer players with CAI had poor dynamic balance ability while reaching posterolaterally. However, acquiring hip flexibility may not be necessary to improve the dynamic balance ability. These findings may help develop future research.

Highlights

There were no differences in the results for the anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral directions, or for the composites of modified Star Excursion Balance Test (mSEBT) while standing on the dominant and nondominant legs (p > 0.05, Table 2)
The internal rotation angle had no significant correlation with the anterior (R = −0.15; p = 0.53), posteromedial (R = −0.30; p = 0.21), or posterolateral (R = −0.36; p = 0.13) directions, or with the composite mSEBT (R = −0.35; p = 0.13)
This study revealed that soccer players with chronic ankle instability (CAI) had a large hip internal rotation range of motion (ROM)

Summary

Introduction

Ankle sprains have often been reported as the most common ankle injuries in soccer and football [1,2,3], and accounted for up to 67% of all soccer-related ankle injuries [4]. After the first ankle sprain, 73% of patients have a high rate of recurrence [5,6], most often in noncontact situations [3,7]. An English Premier League survey reported that anterior talofibular ligament injury associated with ankle varus sprain represented 31.1% of all ankle disorders, with an average of 43.4 days between injury and returning to play [7]. Ankle sprain in soccer and football is a major factor preventing return to play. It is important to prevent the first ankle sprain and its recurrence

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