Performance in Static, Dynamic, and Clinical Tests of Postural Control in Individuals with Recurrent Ankle Sprains

Abstract

Objective:To evaluate postural control in individuals with recurrent ankle sprains with static, dynamic, and clinical balance tests and to examine the relationships between performances in each of these tests.Design:Postural control was evaluated with 3 different balance tests in individuals with and without recurrent ankle sprains.Participants:19 volunteers with recurrent ankle sprains and 19 uninjured control subjects.Interventions:None.Setting:University sports-medicine research laboratory.Main Outcome Measures:Total excursion of the center of pressure (COP) was calculated for the static and dynamic balance tests. Total reach distance was measured for the Star Excursion Balance Test.Results:Subjects with recurrent ankle sprains demonstrated significantly greater excursion of the COP in both the static and dynamic balance tests. Correlations between performances in all tests were very low.Conclusions:Recurrent ankle sprains might be associated with reduced postural control as demonstrated by decreased performance in static and dynamic balance tests.