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The differential effects of external ankle support on postural control
1School of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, La Trobe University, Victoria, Australia.
The Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy
|December 1, 1994
Summary
Ankle tape and braces may hinder athletic performance by impairing postural control. Elastic bandages, however, do not significantly affect balance, suggesting ankle support choice matters for athletes.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Biomechanics
- Human Movement Science
Background:
- Ankle supports are widely used to prevent sports-related ankle injuries.
- However, their impact on postural control, crucial for athletic performance, is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of three common ankle supports (tape, brace, elastic bandage) on postural control in healthy adults.
Main Methods:
- Postural control was assessed in 24 participants during a one-legged stance with eyes closed.
- Measures included mediolateral ground reaction force variability and non-support leg touchdown frequency.
Main Results:
- Ankle tape and braces significantly impaired postural control, leading to reduced stability and increased touchdowns.
- Elastic bandages showed no significant effect on postural control.
Conclusions:
- Ankle supports that restrict ankle movement, such as tape and braces, can detrimentally affect postural control.
- This impairment may have implications for athletic performance and injury risk in sports.