Document Type
Poster
Session Format
Graduate Research Poster (no oral presentation)
Publication Date
3-29-2023
Abstract
Context: An ankle injury is the most common lower extremity injury in sports because of the amount of force that goes through the ankle. Understanding the athlete’s ankle stability can better inform a medical team on the probability of an ankle injury occurring and help to mitigate the risk. Objective: The Biodex Balance System (BBS) was used to investigate potential fluctuations in ankle stability over an athlete’s season. Design: Experimental study Patients/Participants: A total of 30 Division II college athletes (25 female, 5 male; ages 18-22) volunteered as subjects. Methods: Athlete single leg test and the Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction and Balance test were analyzed using the BBS. Stability factors examined with the BBS included: overall stability index, anterior/posterior stability index, medial/lateral stability index, eyes open/closed on a firm surface, and eyes open/closed on a foam surface. The BBS used degrees from level to determine ankle stability (higher degrees meant less stability). Baseline measures were established during the pre-season. Mid-season and post-season assessments were completed by repeating the test again at later time points (5 and 10 weeks, respectively). Data were analyzed with SPSS (general linear models, one-way ANOVAs, and Repeated ANOVAs). Results: Overall stability of the right leg increased by 1 degree at mid-season, with the left leg increasing by .6 degrees at mid-season. No significant difference was found on any of the following trials: eyes open firm surface: F(3,26)=.338, p=.798; eyes closed firm surface: F(3,26)=.352, p=.788; eyes open foam surface: F(3,26)=1.895, p=.155; eyes closed foam surface: F(3,26)=1.901, p=.154. Conclusion: There was an increase in bilateral ankle stability by mid-season, regardless of sport or sex. Discussion: Further investigation is needed to determine the cause of increased ankle stability over time.
Recommended Citation
Rotolo, Delayne, "Determining Ankle Stability in Collegiate Athletes Using the Biodex Balance System" (2023). Graduate Research Showcase. 98.
https://kb.gcsu.edu/grposters/98