Impact of lateral ankle sprains on physical function, range of motion, isometric strength and balance in professional soccer players

Objective: Lateral ankle sprains (LASs) are prevalent in soccer and can affect long-term performance, injury recurrence and risk for chronic ankle instability. This case-control study examined functional impairments associated with LAS in professional soccer players aged 17-21. Methods: 40 players were divided into 2 groups: 21 with a history of LAS and 19 healthy matched controls. Functional assessments included the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM), Y Balance Test (YBT), Weight Bearing Lunge Test, Heel Rise Test, Side Hop Test, and ankle and hip isometric strength measurements. Results: Soccer players with a history of LAS exhibited significant deficits in dynamic balance, particularly in the anterior and composite YBT scores, with moderate effect sizes (p<0.05). FAAM scores also revealed functional limitations in daily activities and sports performance for the LAS group. No significant differences were observed in strength or mobility measures, including the Heel Rise, Side Hop and isometric tests. There were also no differences between injured and non-injured legs in the LAS group in the performance tests. Conclusions: These findings highlight the persistent deficits in dynamic balance following LAS, emphasising the need for targeted rehabilitation to mitigate the risk of reinjury and enhance performance in soccer players.