The Impact of Chronic Ankle Instability on Functional and Perceived Single-leg Balance Control

The purpose of this study was to determine whether individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI) perform worse than those without CAI on four balance tests and the visual analog scale (VAS) ratings for perceived stability, and to examine correlations between ankle stability and balance test performance. Fifty-one participants volunteered in this study. Group assignment was determined using the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT). Participants performed four tests in randomized order: the Y-Balance Test (YBT), the Athletic Single-Leg Stability Test (ASLST), the Time-in-Balance Test, and the Side Hop Test. Perceived stability was recorded after each test using the VAS. Participants with CAI had significantly worse ankle stability than those without CAI (p < .001). For the Time-in-Balance Test and the Side Hop Test, no significant difference was found in either physical tests or perceived stability. For the ASLST and the YBT, no difference was found in the physical performance. However, participants without CAI perceived significantly superior stability in both tests compared to those with CAI (p = .026 and .040, respectively). Correlation analysis showed that neither the physical scores nor the VAS had a strong correlation with the CAIT scores. Participants with CAI performed as well as those without CAI in the static balance test, dynamic balance test, and functional performance. It suggests that ankle integrity may not play a significant role in overall single-leg balance control in healthy young adults.