Abstract

Background: Lateral ankle sprains (LAS) are among the most common injuries in the physically active population. The feeling of ankle “giving way” following ankle sprain and subsequent repetitive sessions of instability in several ankle sprains has been termed chronic ankle instability (CAI).

Objectives: To compare the dynamic postural control among CAI and healthy asymptomatic participants using star excursion balance test (SEBT) and to compare the reach distance of injured dominant and injured non-dominant limb among CAI participants.

Materials and Methods: Totally 60 participants (CAI=30 + Control=30) were requited for this study. CAI participants have had ankle sprain of more than two episodes on the same side and control group comprised of healthy asymptomatic participants who match in demographic details. The SEBT reach distances were measured in centimeters (cm) while the participants in standing and the score of 3 reach trials were averaged for data analysis.

Results: The intra group comparison of SEBT reach scores demonstrated that the reach distances of injured limb was significantly decreased in all directions compared to uninjured limb (p=0.000) of CAI participants, however the control group did not show significant difference in the inter-limb reach distances (p>0.05). No significant difference (P>0.05) was noted in reach distances between the injured dominant and injured non-dominant limb of CAI participants.

Conclusion: The SEBT seems to be efficient in detecting dynamic postural control in participants with or without chronic ankle instability. The reach distances of CAI participants were significantly decreased in all 8 directions when compared to that of healthy asymptomatic participants. The SEBT reach distances does not show significant difference whether the injured limb is either dominant or non-dominant.

Key words: Ankle Sprain, Chronic Ankle Instability, Dynamic Postural Control, SEBT