Do voluntary strength, proprioception, range of motion or postural sway predict ocurrence of lateral ankle sprain?

Marcos A De Noronha ^1*, Kathryn M Refshauge ¹, Rob D Herbert ¹ and Sharon L Kilbreath ¹

¹ University of Sydney, Australia

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: made6338{at}usyd.edu.au.

Accepted 23 July 2006

Abstract

Background: Prevention of ankle sprain, the most common sporting injury, is only possible once the risk factors have been identified. The literature, however, is divided concerning the association of ankle variables with the risk of sprains.

Hypothesis: One or more of the variables of voluntary strength, proprioception, postural sway and range of motion predict lateral ankle sprain.

Study Design: Systematic review

Methods: A literature search was carried out up to March 2006. Eligible studies were those with longitudinal design investigating ankle sprain in subjects aged 15 years. Studies must have measured range of motion, voluntary strength, proprioception, or postural sway prior to monitoring incidence of lateral ankle sprain.

Results: Twenty one studies were included. Dorsiflexion range was the only variable investigated that was found to strongly predict risk of ankle sprain: one study found that army recruits with the least dorsiflexion had approximately 5 times the risk of ankle sprain as recruits with average ankle range. Postural sway was a weak predictor. There was no other strong predictor.

Conclusions: Preliminary evidence suggests that dorsiflexion range of motion is a strong predictor of lateral ankle sprain. Of particular interest, postural sway and proprioception appear to be at best weak predictors of sprain. These associations have not yet been shown to be causal.

Clinical Relevance: Reduced ankle dorsiflexion range may expose individuals to an elevated ankle sprain risk. Key Terms: lateral ankle sprain; prediction; dorsiflexion.

Key Words: dorsiflexion, lateral ankle sprain, prediction

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