Dynamic Balance Deficits 6 Months Following First-Time Acute Lateral Ankle Sprain: A Laboratory Analysis.

STUDY

DESIGN

Controlled laboratory study.

OBJECTIVE

To utilize kinematic and stabilometric measures to compare dynamic balance during performance of the Star Excursion Balance Test between persons 6 months following first-time lateral ankle sprain (LAS) and a noninjured control group.

BACKGROUND

Biomechanical evaluation of dynamic balance in persons following first-time LAS during performance of the Star Excursion Balance Test could provide insight into the mechanisms by which individuals proceed to recover fully or develop chronic ankle instability.

METHODS

Sagittal plane kinematics of the lower extremity and the center-of-pressure path during the performance of the anterior, posterolateral, and posteromedial reach directions of the Star Excursion Balance Test were obtained from 69 participants 6 months following first-time acute LAS and from a control group of 20 noninjured participants.

RESULTS

Compared to the control group, the LAS group displayed lower normalized reach distances in all 3 reach directions on the injured and noninjured limbs, with the largest observed effect size in the posterolateral direction (P = .001, ηp(2) = 0.07). The performance impairment was associated with less hip and knee flexion and ankle dorsiflexion at the point of maximum reach (P<.02), and coincided with less complexity of the center-of-pressure path (P<.05).

CONCLUSION

Participants with a 6-month history of LAS exhibit a persistence of deficits previously established in the acute phase of injury.