Performance in Static, Dynamic, and Clinical Tests of Postural Control in Individuals with Recurrent Ankle Sprains

Objective: To evaluate postural control in individuals with recurrent ankle sprains with static, dynamic, and clinical balance tests and to examine the relationships between performances in each of these tests. Design: Postural control was evaluated with 3 different balance tests in individuals with and without recurrent ankle sprains. Participants: 19 volunteers with recurrent ankle sprains and 19 uninjured control subjects. Interventions: None. Setting: University sports-medicine research laboratory. Main Outcome Measures: Total excursion of the center of pressure (COP) was calculated for the static and dynamic balance tests. Total reach distance was measured for the Star Excursion Balance Test. Results: Subjects with recurrent ankle sprains demonstrated significantly greater excursion of the COP in both the static and dynamic balance tests. Correlations between performances in all tests were very low. Conclusions: Recurrent ankle sprains might be associated with reduced postural control as demonstrated by decreased performance in static and dynamic balance tests.