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Updated: Sep 10, 2025
Evaluating Postural Control and Lower-extremity Muscle Activation in Individuals with Chronic Ankle Instability
Published on: September 18, 2020
Effects of balance device training on ankle function and postural control ability in patients with functional ankle
Jiasheng Xu1, Huijuan Lin1, Haibin Liu2
1Guangzhou Sport University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510500, China.
Background:
Functional ankle instability (FAI) is a common chronic disease after ankle sprains, and exercise intervention can improve symptoms of instability. This research aims to assess the effect of two new ankle balance device training programs on the ankle function and postural control ability in individuals with functional ankle instability.
Methods:
A total of sixty-eight participants with FAI were randomly assigned to three groups: the spherical ankle balance device (SABD) group, the ensiform ankle balance device (EABD) group and the control group. Participants in all three groups engaged in an 8-week exercise intervention, conducting 4 times per week, each lasting 30 min. Variables were assessed before and after the intervention immediately, including the CAIT score, peroneal muscle reaction time, joint position sense, ankle inversion and eversion torques, and postural control ability. A paired t-test was utilized to compare results within each group, while one-way ANOVA was applied for comparisons between groups. Stepwise regression analysis was performed using the changes in CAIT score post-training as the dependent variable, with changes in peroneal muscle reaction time, position sense, postural control ability, and ankle torque as independent variables to establish a regression equation. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered to indicate statistically significant differences.
Results:
After eight weeks of intervention, the SABD and EABD groups exhibited significant reductions in peroneal muscle reaction time (P < 0.05) and increases in ankle eversion torque (P < 0.05) compared to the control group. The EABD group demonstrated superior outcomes in ankle inversion and eversion torque and postural control compared to SABD groups (P < 0.05).
Conclusion:
Training with new ankle balance devices significantly enhanced postural control and ankle function in patients with FAI, especially for ensiform ankle balance device.
Trial Registration:
Current Controlled Trials ChiCTR2500107096, 20,250,804 (Retrospectively registered).
