A297: Biomechanical Analysis in Balance and Landing Among Male Collegiate Soccer Athletes with Functional Ankle Instability

Football is a sport with a high risk of injury, with ankle sprains being common, affecting 12%-23% of players. After functional treatment, over 40% of patients still experience recurrent sprains or giving, known as functional ankle instability (FAI). Limited research exists on the movement patterns of male university football players with or without FAI. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the biomechanical differences in Single-Leg Balance (SLB), Bipodal Landing (BL), and Single-Leg Landing (SLL) between male collegiate soccer athletes with and without functional ankle instability. We recruited 36 male collegiate soccer athletes (mean age: 19.69 ± 1.69 years). A questionnaire was used to collect basic parameters, including age, height, weight, BMI, training hours daily, training days weekly, and ankle injury in the past year. Data were collected using a force plate (KINVENT) during SLB, BL, and SLL tests. The independent sample t-test and non-parametric test were used for statistical analysis. Participants were divided into the injury group (16) and the injury-free group (20). In the SLB test, we measured the difference and sum of the landing ellipse areas, anteroposterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML) axes, AP and ML amplitudes, AP and ML path lengths, and AP and ML mean velocities on both sides. In the BL and SLL tests, we measured the difference and sum of stabilization time, landing ellipse areas, and peak force on both sides. In the eyes-open SLB test, the difference and sum of the landing ellipse areas of the injury group are significantly larger than those of the injury-free group. In the eyes-closed SLB test, the difference and sum of the landing ellipse areas, ML axis, and ML mean velocity of the injury group are significantly greater than those of the injury-free group. Additionally, the sum of the AP axis and the difference in ML amplitude are also significantly larger in the injury group. In the BL test, there are no significant differences between the two groups' data. In the SLL test, the difference in stabilization time is significantly greater in the injury group compared to the injury-free group. Additionally, the difference and sum of the landing ellipse areas on the two sides are also significantly larger in the injury group. Biomechanical analysis of male collegiate soccer athletes with and without FAI in the SLB and SLL tests shows significant differences. These findings can aid in the prevention and monitoring of FAI.