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| Research Title: |
Comparison of three preventive methods in order to reduce the incidence of ankle inversion sprains among female volleyball players |
| Type of Research: |
Publication Articles |
| Category: |
Preventative Techniques
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| Keywords: |
Ankle injury
Balance training
Taping
Volleyball
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| Author(s): |
D Stasinopoulos |
| Author(s) Bio Box: |
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| Release Date: |
14 April 2006 |
| Research Summary/Text: |
Ankle sprains are the most common form of acute injury in volleyball. Previous studies had shown that technical training (training involving movements similar to those experienced in a game), proprioceptive training (balance training) and external ankle support (semi rigid ankle brace ) were effective interventions in preventing injury in players who had experienced previous ankle injury. However it was not known which of the three was the most effective intervention. A group of women from a division of the Greek National league participated in a prevention program during a season. All had suffered ankle sprains in the previous season. Participants were divided into one of three study groups: the first group followed a training program at the beginning of the season that consisted of specific technical training; the second group followed a balance training program each day of the season for 30 minutes; and the third group of players were instructed to wear a external ankle support during each game and training session.
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| Research Objectives: |
To investigate which of three interventions – external ankle support, balance training, and specific technical training - is the most effective in preventing ankle sprain in female volleyball players with a history of previous injury of this type.
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| Research Outcomes: |
The three preventive strategies were all effective in prevention of further ankle sprain. Technical training was slightly more effective than the other two methods. External ankle support was not effective in participants who had suffered ankle sprains more than three times in their sporting careers. For these people, technical training and balance training were equally effective in prevention of further ankle sprain.
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| Research Implications: |
This study demonstrates that technical training is the most effective preventive method for female volleyball players. It cannot be assumed that technical training is also the most effective for males.
While this study does not tell us which of the three preventive measures are most effective for participants who have no history of ankle sprain, other studies have reported that external ankle support does not reduce the incidence of sprains in previously uninjured ankles.
The significance of biomechanical factors as possible risk factors in players with recurrent ankle sprain is not addressed with this research.
The study highlighted a number of issues that may be worth consideration by sporting clubs and organisations:
It cannot be assumed that players have adequate information or understanding of correct technical technique in their sport or of the importance of rehabilitation following ankle injury even when they have many years of experience in their sport. Inadequate rehabilitation is known as one of the reasons for the high frequency of reinjury.
As participants were only visited once at the start of season , player compliance is unknown. A more positive result in injury prevention may have been achieved with regular reinforcement of the program messages and advice.
The three preventive methods used in this study have been shown to reduce the rate of ankle sprain in sports other than volleyball.
Full descriptions of the methods are provided in the study by Bahr R, Lian O, Bahr IA., “A twofold reduction in the incidence of acute ankle sprains in volleyball after the introduction of an injury prevention program: a prospective cohort study.” Scand J Med Sci Sports 1997;7:172-7.
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