Comparative Study of Competitive Ankle Supports and their Effects on Blanace and Functional Performance.
Open Access
Author:
Capuzzi, Mark Joseph
Area of Honors:
Kinesiology
Degree:
Bachelor of Science
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
Sayers John Miller III, Thesis Supervisor Giampietro Luciano Vairo, Thesis Supervisor Steriani Elavsky, Thesis Honors Advisor
Keywords:
Ankle Supports Postural Control Dynamic Balance Static Balance DonJoy ProTaco SEBT Quiet Single-Leg Balance Test
Abstract:
The purpose of this research study was to investigate the effects of two comparative ankle supports and their effect on dynamic and static postural control. Lower extremity dynamic balance was measured using the anterior, posterolateral and posteromedial directions of the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT). Static balance was measured using a quiet single-leg balance test on a force platform. Each participant was tested under three conditions: without ankle brace, wearing the ProTaco ankle brace manufactured by Topical Gear LLC (Lakeway, Texas) and wearing a semi-rigid lace-up DonJoy ankle brace, manufactured by DJO Global (St. Vista, California). Results from the dynamic balance measurements showed no statistically significant differences in reach for any of the three directions (anterior (P = 0.560), posterolateral (P = 0.877), or posteromedial (P = 0.790)) between ankle bracing conditions. Results from the static balance measurements also showed no statistically significant differences (P = 0.728) between ankle bracing conditions. Conclusion: The ankle braces utilized in this study did not impair or enhance performance in dynamic or static balance tests.
