Vibration training improves balance in unstable ankles.

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Rehabilitation Science
• Biomechanics

Background:

• Functional ankle instability (FAI) is common after ankle injuries, increasing re-injury risk and affecting performance, especially in dancers.
• Ankle sprains are prevalent in dance, leading to balance issues that compromise both safety and aesthetic performance.
• Whole body vibration training (WBVT) is an emerging rehabilitation technique showing promise for improving balance and muscle function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of a 6-week WBVT program on balance and muscle function in female dancers with unilateral FAI.
• To assess changes in center of mass (COM) distribution, Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) scores, and peroneus longus muscle fatigue.

Main Methods:

• 38 female dancers with self-reported unilateral FAI were randomized into WBVT and control groups.
• Intervention involved a 6-week WBVT program for the experimental group.
• Measurements included absolute COM distribution during single-leg stance, normalized SEBT distances, and peroneus longus mean power frequency (f(med)) pre- and post-intervention.

Main Results:

• Significant improvement in COM distribution (1.05 ± 0.57 to 0.33 ± 0.42 cm², P<0.05) and SEBT scores in 4 of 8 directions (77.5 ± 7.1 to 84.1 ± 5.8%, P<0.05) in the WBVT group compared to controls.
• No significant improvement in peroneus longus muscle fatigue (f(med)) was observed in either group (P=0.915).

Conclusions:

• WBVT is effective in improving static balance and dynamic balance (SEBT performance) in dancers with FAI.
• The intervention did not demonstrate an effect on peroneus longus muscle fatigue within the 6-week study period.
• WBVT presents a viable training method for enhancing balance and potentially reducing re-injury risk in dancers with functional ankle instability.