Background: Ankle sprains are common among physically active individuals, particularly athletes. Many people who experience ankle sprains continue to suffer from persistent symptoms, such as discomfort and episodes of instability. Athletes often focus on physical recovery, overlooking psychological factors; thus, the fear-related impact of ankle sprains remains unclear. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and impact of kinesiophobia in Sports Science and Physical Activity students with a history of ankle sprains.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among Sports Science and Physical Activity students at King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire was distributed in classes or online after obtaining informed consent. It included basic demographic data, the most common sports associated with injuries, and the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia to assess fear of pain.
Results: Among the 307 students who completed the survey, 56.4% were female, and 87.3% were between 19 and 25 years old. Ankle sprains had occurred in 31.6% of participants at least once. The most common sport associated with injury was football (54.7%). High levels of kinesiophobia were detected in 71.3% of students. Those who had experienced an ankle sprain and those who played football were more likely to exhibit high levels of kinesiophobia.
Conclusion: College athletes with a history of ankle injury were at a significantly higher risk of developing fear-avoidance behaviors. Football was identified as the primary cause of ankle injuries in this group. Preventing ankle injuries, especially in football, may help reduce the incidence of kinesiophobia associated with sports injuries.
Key words: Kinesiophobia, students, tampa scale, ankle sprain
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