PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of ankle bracing on proprioception of the ankle and dynamic postural control in participants with chronic ankle instability (CAI). With this knowledge, current brace methods can be optimized and compliance towards the use of braces in athletes who are at risk for an ankle sprain can be improved.
METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted. Proprioception of the ankle and dynamic postural control were measured with and without a soft ankle brace in each participant in randomized order. Males and females with CAI aged 18-35 years were included in this study. Joint position sense (JPS) was measured with an Angle Reproduction Test on an isokinetic device for plantarflexion and inversion. Dynamic postural control was measured with the Y-balance TestTM (YBT). Paired t-tests were used to compare test results with and without ankle brace for both JPS and dynamic postural control.
RESULTS: When participants wore the ankle brace, JPS absolute error scores were significantly lower for plantar flexion (p=0.03), in comparison without ankle brace. No significant difference was found in JPS absolute error scores for inversion (p=0.20). The YBT normalized reach distances did not significantly differ when performed with or without brace (p>0.50).
CONCLUSION: Wearing a soft ankle brace has statistically significant, but small, effect on the JPS in plantar flexion of the chronically unstable ankle. Ankle bracing has no effect on JPS in inversion and dynamic postural control in participants with CAI. When advising athletes on using an ankle brace, it should be explained that the effect of bracing is probably not caused by improving proprioception, but through other mechanisms. However, athletes should still be encouraged to use an ankle brace during sports due to the preventive effect that is shown in other studies
