Star excursion balance training: effects on ankle functional stability after ankle sprain

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Rehabilitation Science
• Biomechanics

Background:

• Ankle sprains are common in athletes, leading to impaired functional stability.
• Restoring balance and proprioception is crucial for athlete recovery and injury prevention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of Star Excursion Balance training (SEBT) in enhancing functional stability for athletes recovering from ankle sprains.
• To compare SEBT combined with conventional therapy against conventional therapy alone.

Main Methods:

• Thirty-two male athletes (15-22 years) with grade 2 ankle sprains were randomized into a training group (n=15) and a control group (n=17).
• Both groups received a 4-week conventional physical therapy program.
• The training group additionally performed SEBT three times per week for 4 weeks.
• Single leg stance time (SLST) was measured pre- and post-intervention, with re-injury surveillance for 3 months.

Main Results:

• Both groups showed significant improvements in SLST.
• The SEBT group demonstrated a two-fold greater improvement in SLST for the injured limb compared to the control group (p=0.002 eyes closed, p=0.007 eyes open).
• The SEBT group also improved SLST on the normal limb with eyes closed (p=0.015).
• Re-injury rates were lower in the SEBT group (1/15) versus the control group (2/17).

Conclusions:

• Star Excursion Balance training is a superior adjunct to conventional therapy for improving functional stability in athletes with ankle sprains.
• SEBT effectively enhances balance and may contribute to reduced re-injury rates.
• This training modality offers significant benefits for athletes' return to sport and long-term ankle health.