RISK FACTORS FOR NONCONTACT ANKLE SPRAINS IN HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETES: THE ROLE OF HIP STRENGTH AND BALANCE ABILITY

Background: Ankle sprains are common in young athletes, and a number of intrinsic risk factors have been proposed including poor balance (proprioception) and weakness of the hip abductors (hip stabilisers).

Research question/s: Is poor balance (balance board) and weakness in hip abduction strength associated with an increased risk of non-contact ankle sprains in high school athletes?

Methodology:Subjects: 169 high school athletes (male = 101, female = 68) from football (males: basketball, soccer; females: gymnastics, basketball, soccer) were observed for 2 years.

Experimental procedure: All the athletes were assessed in the pre-season period. Body mass, height, generalised ligamentous laxity, previous ankle sprains, ankle tape or brace use were documented. Balance in single-limb stance (instrumented tilt board, time out of balance in sec) as well as hip flexion, abduction and adduction strength (handheld dynamometer, N.m/kg) were documented. During the season 20 non-contact inversion ankle sprains were recorded.

Measures of outcome: Factors associated with ankle sprains were analysed.

Main finding/s::

Factors associated with increased risk of ankle sprains were (1) previous ankle sprain (incidence of grade II/III sprains in athletes with a history of a previous ankle sprain (1.12/1000 exposures vs 0.26 in no previous injury group)), (2) higher body mass index (males), and the combination of a previous injury and being overweight further …